Latest spell helps trim Marathwada June rain deficit to 40%

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Rainfall activity remained largely absent in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and several other parts of Marathwada till Thursday evening, after all eight districts in the region recorded light to moderate showers a day earlier.Since June 1, the region has received 67mm of rainfall. The recent showers have reduced the monsoon deficit to 40%, down from 50% a week ago. During the same period last year, Marathwada faced a 35% rainfall deficit in June, though substantial pre-monsoon showers in May had eased the water situation.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain or thundershowers during the afternoon or evening over the next 48 hours.

Many areas are, however, yet to receive the minimum 75-100mm of rainfall required to begin sowing for the Kharif season.Parvez Patel, a farmer from Beed district, said he delayed sowing soybean due to insufficient rainfall but has already completed cotton sowing. “We haven’t received adequate rainfall in our area, so soybean sowing is on hold. Out of desperation, we went ahead with cotton sowing and are now hoping that the rains arrive as expected,” he said.

In the 24-hour period ending 11.30am on Thursday, Marathwada recorded an average rainfall of 12mm. Hingoli (22mm) and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (21mm) received the highest rainfall, followed by Parbhani (16mm) and Jalna (15mm). Nanded, Beed and Latur recorded 6mm each, while Dharashiv received 5mm, official data showed.