Sceptre of drought looms in Marathwada as dry sell continues
Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Jul 14 : The dry spell in the eight districts of the backward Marathwada region could lead to a drought-like situation if it does not rain in the next few days, official sources said here.
Only 18 per cent of annual average rainfall was recorded since the onset of monsoon, sources said.
According to statistics available here, only 139 mm rainfall was recorded in the region so far, causing concern among Agriculturists.
In Aurangabad district, the deficit rainfall in Jalna, Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Beed, Latur and Osmanabad was worrisome, the sources said.
Due to unsatisfactory rainfall during the past five weeks, sowing operations were at a standstill in many places in the region and farmers were eagerly awaiting the elusive rains for taking up sowing.
Acute shortage of drinking water had also severely affected people in the region as water level had come down at all the water projects, including nine major dams, 57 medium and 526 small projects of the region.
Presently, 900 water tankers were providing drinking water to the affected villages and hamlets in the region, the sources added.