PUNE: Latur, Beed, Dharashiv and Parbhani have emerged as the worst-hit districts in Marathwada, with a prolonged dry spell severely affecting the Kharif crops and threatening the survival of the standing crops ahead of the harvest; agriculture department officials said.
Beginning August, the situation worsened. An agriculture department official said, “The rainfall in these four districts since August 1 has been abysmal. None of these districts has received even 200 mm of rain during this period, which is needed for proper growth of crops before harvesting. The rainfall deficit has been particularly severe in Latur, which received only 353.7 mm against its normal rainfall of 706 mm between June and September 21. Dharashiv recorded 350.8 mm against 603.1 mm, Parbhani 428.7 mm against 761.3 mm, and Beed 443.7 mm against 603.1 mm during the same period. Beed received only 20% of its normal rainfall in August and 36% of its normal rainfall in September so far. Latur received 31.8% and 37%, respectively; while Dharashiv received 27% and 34%. Parbhani, despite receiving relatively better rainfall in September, has recorded only 53% of its normal rainfall for the month thus far.
The 20% crops that have survived are mainly due to the availability of water near local sources.
Officials said water availability in local water bodies has also dwindled, making further rainfall crucial for the crops that have survived. “Good rainfall during the withdrawal phase of the southwest monsoon is now imperative for the remaining crops to develop properly and reach harvest,” the agriculture department official said.
