The usually rain-sufficient Khed, Velhe and Bhor tehsils in Pune district were also declared drought-affected
Pune: Baramati, Indapur, Daund, Shirur, Purandar and the usually rain-sufficient Khed, Velhe and Bhor are among the eight tehsils in Pune district declared as drought-affected after rainfall deficit in these areas exceeded 25% and dry spells lasted at least 21 days. Indapur, known for its export-quality pomegranates, has reported stress in plantations after the rainfall gap, a senior agriculture officer said. “Many paddy cultivators could not fertilize their crops and have reported diseases.
The overall harvest will reduce significantly this season,” an agriculture officer said. The district’s uneven rainfall pattern means the western and eastern regions face different agricultural challenges, with Shirur, Daund, Indapur and Baramati forming part of its relatively dry belt. Several affected tehsils are important horticultural and vegetable-producing centres. In Velhe and Bhor, traditionally among the high rainfall areas and known for paddy cultivation, the situation is grim.