Amid downpour in other parts of state, Marathwada gets scanty showers

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Even as several parts of Maharashtra are witnessing intense monsoon activity, the Marathwada region continues to experience a weak spell, receiving an average of just 1.4mm rainfall in the 24 hours ending Monday morning.Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and other parts of the region witnessed only intermittent drizzle through Monday. The local IMD observatory recorded 3.2mm rainfall in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar during the day till evening.The prolonged lull in rainfall has heightened concerns among residents and farmers, particularly in villages dependent on borewells for water supply.According to agricultural meteorologist K K Dakhore of Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University, dry conditions are likely to persist for at least another two days.“The low pressure systems have already developed over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, producing major rainfall activity in coastal areas of Maharashtra and central parts of the state. However, these systems are not favourable to convert into the desired monsoon rain upto Marathwada,” he said.The eight-district Marathwada region has received an average of 145mm rainfall since June 1, which is 86% of its normal seasonal rainfall, leaving it with a 14% deficit.

Despite the rainfall shortfall, kharif sowing has gathered pace. Data from Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University shows that nearly 30% of the region’s kharif crop area has been sown so far.Agriculture and water sector stakeholders are now looking towards a revival of monsoon activity, with further delays likely to impact sowing operations and groundwater-dependent areas across the region.