An erratic monsoon has left Maharashtra high and dry with 19% deficient rainfall making 22 of the 35 districts drought-prone. Two months into the season that ends in September, the state on an average has seen only 493.9mm of rainfall against the normal 612.5mm.
As per data provided by the government, the state has received 80.6% of the normal rainfall between June and July. The rainfall is still in the normal category only because four areas in Vidarbha region have received more than 100% of the average.
The worst affected has been Pune that has seen 58% rainfall deficit in June and July, while Sangli and Mumbai city each have seen 54% less rains. While it is possible that the monsoon may still cover up in two months, the weather department has said that it is difficult to forecast its further progress.
The four sub-divisions in Maharashtra—Konkan and Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha-—have seen varied rainfall. While Konkan and Goa subdivision saw a deficit of 15%, both Marathwada and Madhya Maharashtra have seen 32% less rainfall.
Surprisingly, Vidarbha, which is otherwise a drought-prone area, has received more than 100% rainfall between June and July.
“Anything above 26% in deficit is a meteorological drought,” said N Y Apte, deputy director general of India Meteorological Department in Mumbai.
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