All eight tehsils of Wardha district placed in drought trigger-2 list, water shortage feared

The shadow of drought has deepened over Wardha district. On Wednesday, the state government released the list of tehsils under drought trigger-2, and all eight tehsils of Wardha district are in it. They are Wardha, Deoli, Seloo, Samudrapur, Hinganghat, Arvi, Ashti and Karanja.

Last month, the government had issued the list of tehsils under drought trigger-1. It had seven tehsils of the district, with Karanja tehsil left out. Now all eight tehsils, including Karanja, are in the trigger-2 list. It is also being said that the question of water is almost certain to turn serious in the district in the coming days.

According to the figures, Wardha district receives an average of 874.05 mm of rain in the four months of June, July, August and September. This year, it received only 558.03 mm in the same period, a shortfall of 36.92 per cent. A long gap in rainfall also persisted during the monsoon under the influence of a super El Nino. Even after 13 days of October, the rain gap continues.

Because of the low rainfall and the long gap, only a nominal amount of usable water is left in the district's reservoirs. With rising temperatures, the groundwater level is also falling fast. Crops are withering for want of water. The district will have to face the heat of a shortage of fodder and water ahead.

Experts say the effect of El Nino is likely to increase in the coming period and the groundwater level will fall further. Farmers as well as ordinary citizens will therefore have to use the available water sparingly from now, only then can the water crisis ahead be faced.

The district administration is planning various measures to deal with the coming drought situation. Just as the shortage of fodder and water will trouble people in villages and cities, natural water sources in forest areas will also dry up and the food of herbivorous animals will almost run out. Wildlife enthusiasts have therefore expressed the hope that, while dealing with the drought, the district administration will also arrange water and fodder for animals in the forest.