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Maharashtra Declares Drought as Expert Urges Long-Term Water Planning
Maharashtra has had less rain than usual, and the rain has fallen unevenly.
The state declared drought in 265 talukas.
The government announced several forms of help, including loan relief and employment works.
Cash compensation will be decided after officials survey crop damage.
Water researcher K J Joy says some areas still need one more round of irrigation to save crops.
Officials have ordered water in those areas to be kept for drinking.
Joy also argues that some water projects may harm streams and rivers.
He says the state needs a long-term plan for handling unreliable rains.
Maharashtra declared drought in 265 of its 358 talukas across 32 districts on September 26.
The state recorded an 18.8% rainfall deficit from June through September 18, with rain unevenly distributed.
The government announced 12 relief measures, while cash compensation awaits crop-loss surveys and a separate resolution.
Water researcher K J Joy says a blanket irrigation ban in some Krishna basin areas could worsen crop losses.
Joy criticizes the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan and calls for long-term planning on water use, land use and crops.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government and farmers in drought-affected areas; water researcher K J Joy discussed the response.
- What
- Maharashtra declared drought in 265 talukas and announced relief measures.
- Where
- Maharashtra, across 32 districts.
- When
- The drought declaration was made on September 26; the reported rainfall figures cover June to September 18.
- Why
- The declaration followed rainfall deficits and dry spells, alongside concerns about crop conditions.
Water reserved for drinking
Additional irrigation for crops
Use of Krishna basin water
Water reserved for drinking
The district collector ordered that all water be reserved for drinking.
Additional irrigation for crops
Farmers in the lift-irrigation pilot areas, as described by K J Joy, want one more irrigation rotation to protect their kharif crops and provide grain and fodder.
Drought response
Water reserved for drinking
The government has declared drought and announced immediate relief measures, with cash compensation to be considered after crop-loss surveys.
Additional irrigation for crops
Joy says the measures are short-term and argues for longer-term planning on water, land use and crops; he also criticizes aspects of the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan.
Key facts
- Drought declaration
- 265 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas, across 32 districts
- Date declared
- September 26
- Rainfall deficit
- 18.8% statewide between June and September 18
- Rainfall recorded
- 755.9 mm, against a normal 932.3 mm
- Government relief
- A resolution lists 12 measures, including loan-related relief, electricity-bill waivers for agricultural pumps and reopening employment guarantee works.
- Cash compensation
- To follow crop-loss surveys and a separate government resolution
- Konkan rainfall estimate
- K J Joy said Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri had received about 1,000 mm, roughly one-third of the expected amount.
Quotes
K J Joy
Founding member of SOPPECOM and hydrological field researcher.
“With climate change, we know the rains are going to be erratic. Unless we take a much longer view and work towards it, these short-term, knee-jerk measures will not take us anywhere.”
rediff.com
“Every time the rains fail, we all talk about drought, and by next June we have forgotten about it.”
rediff.com
Sources
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