Only 9 Maharashtra districts received normal and above rain till Sept 20

In rural Maharashtra, farmers are banking on the ‘particha paus’ to bring some relief. As monsoon draws to end, there are rain spells in several parts which is termed as ‘particha paus’ or return rain.

The intense and continuous rain in July had given farmers hopes of good harvest during the kharif season 2023-24.

However, the excess rain coupled with thunderstorm in eastern Vidarbha, Konkan, parts of North Maharashtra and Western Maharashtra damaged the crops. The farmers went for second sowing and third in some talukas. But prolonged dry spell in August had again affected the crop growth.

Agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde said, “The state government has been committed to provide financial and logistic support to affected farmers.” The drought-like situation in some districts was a cause of concern. But with extended monsoon, we have to ascertain to what extent it helps to bring the deficient rain quotient down, he said.

Experts believe that the rain in September and October will be crucial.

Shetkari Sanghatana leader Shrikant Umrikar said: “With changing climatic conditions, the rain patterns have altered. The new norms indicate that the monsoon often spills beyond September. So the administration cannot ascertain drought till end of September or early October. Often return rains are intense. If we receive good rains in next two weeks, it will bring much needed solace.”

While farmers in drought-prone regions eagerly awaiting intense return rains, the reality at present in the state is rain deficient to the extent of nine per cent. As against the normal 933.8 mm, it has received 850.8 mm rain between June and September 20.

The 13 severe rain deficient districts which received 20 to 45 per cent less than normal rain include Ahmednagar (42 %); Sangli (44%); Satara ( 41%); Solapur (36%); Beed (43%); Dharashiv (Osmanabad) (33%); Hingoli (35%); Jalna (44 %); Parbhani (31 %), Amravati (31%); Washim (22%); Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) (27%); Akola ( 29%).

The 14 districts which are rain deficient but less severe with difference between actual and normal varying from one to 20 per cent includes: Latur (17%); Kolhapur (18%); Dhule (12 %); Nandurbar (1 %); Jalgaon (1%); Pune (15%); Nashik (4%); Buldhana (17 %); Wardha (9%); Gondia (13%); Chandrapur (4%); Nagpur (6%); Ratnagiri (5 %); Mumbai City (8%).

Interestingly, the districts which received normal or above normal rain this monsoon (June to September 20) are only nine. The list includes Palghar (21%); Raigarh (10 %); Sindhudurg (1%); Mumbai Suburbs (28%); Thane (26%); Nanded (19%); Bandhara (normal); Gadchiroli (2 %); Yavatmal (7%).

The preliminary report shows the shortfall of foodgrains and pulses could be up to 25 to 30 per cent.