Maharashtra among 18 states in red zone as returning monsoon offers little hope of rain
The Nagpur observatory says an anticyclone over India is keeping clouds from gathering, so the monsoon's withdrawal is unlikely to bring Maharashtra rain.
The monsoon has begun its withdrawal. The retreating monsoon has crossed parts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. It is due to leave Maharashtra between October 5 and 10.
Most years the retreating monsoon leaves some rain over Maharashtra on its way out, but this time that is unlikely. The Nagpur observatory of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said an anticyclone currently prevails over the whole of India. This condition does not let clouds gather, and for this reason no rain has been forecast for Maharashtra from the retreating monsoon.
The outcome is said to be disappointing for the people of Maharashtra, farmers in particular. The state is already facing drought, and fears have grown that the coming period will be harder still.
According to the figures, Odisha is the only state in the country that has received above-average rainfall so far. By contrast, 18 states, including Maharashtra, have a rain deficit of more than 20 per cent. For this reason these 18 states have been placed in the red zone.
The situation is worse in West Vidarbha. The rain deficit in Akola and Amravati districts has gone above 40 per cent. Most parts of Maharashtra did not get rain at all, and below-average rainfall has been recorded. All four monsoon months passed dry. Many parts of the state did not see a single drop for a month and a half. Where rain did fall in some places, it was not enough to bring relief. As a result, the state is in the grip of a major drought.
The weather department says this year's rainfall in the state is the lowest in a decade, which shows how serious the crisis is. The state's average rain deficit this year is 18 per cent. All divisions of the state have a deficit of one degree or another.
The shortfall has also put rabi sowing in jeopardy, adding to farmers' worries. Widespread rain across the state is unlikely in the next five to six days. S.D. Sanap has advised farmers in the state to sow in the rabi season only after consulting the agriculture department.
