More scattered showers are likely over the next few days as a low-pressure system develops over the Bay of Bengal, independent weather experts said. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Parts of Beed and Latur received light to moderate rain on Sunday, bringing some relief to a drought-stressed Marathwada.
Dharashiv recorded 16mm rain and Latur 8mm during the 24 hours ending Sunday morning. The eight-district Marathwada region has received around 44mm rain in Sept so far, nearly 60% below normal. Since June 1, it has recorded 427mm rain, a deficit of 32%, official data shows. Kharif sowing has fallen by 3.6 lakh hectares compared with the five-year average. The region normally has more than 46 lakh hectares under kharif crops.
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A helping hand from govt is required to support farmers to undertake the approaching Rabi season now,” farmers’ leader Jayaji Suryawnshi said. The showers, however, come amid a deep rainfall deficit. The weak monsoon has already hit farming. Farmers say the almost dry Aug and weak Sept showers have also damaged standing crops across large tracts. Rain-fed farms have borne the brunt. “Crops from rain-fed agriculture have already suffered irrevocable damage and scores of farmers will either get no or very reduced yield. Water availability is another concern. With reservoir levels remaining poor, the administration has already reserved water in Marathwada reservoirs for drinking purposes. Download the TOI App.