Attachments
NARRATIVE SUMMARY
DETAILS OF THE EMERGENCY In October 2011, due to the failure of monsoon rains, the Government of Maharashtra declared a drought in 7,753 villages in 15 districts of the state. The 2012 monsoon rains were also inadequate leading to further deterioration of the already desperate situation and adversely impacting crop productivity, water storage in the dams, reservoirs, ponds, and other drinking water sources along with fodder supply. In January 2013 the State Government was forced to declare drought in 7,896 villages based on the Kharif Paisewari. Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on the climate: a favourable southwest summer monsoon is critical in securing water for irrigating crops.
The Government of India has approved an assistance of US$ 155,600,000 for loss of agriculture. However, the forecasts for the latter part of 2013 indicate further drought which will exacerbate the situation as it is a critical period for the Rabi (winter crop) season. As of December 2013, water and fodder will become even more scarce.
Ground water levels in many parts of the state have gone down significantly. The storage levels of the reservoirs are at an all-time low. The number of tankers having to supply water to the affected areas has shot up alarmingly. The number of cattle in the cattle camps and the number of cattle camps themselves continue to grow alarmingly.
Rainfall in the state was grossly inadequate in 2012. The following figure depicts the rainfall position of the districts in the State for the entire monsoon season till 30 September 2012