Declare Marathwada region drought-hit, demands Aurangabad farmers

Farmers in Aurangabad's Marathwada region have demanded that Maharashtra government should declare the region drought-hit.

"We are undergoing a very difficult situation due to severe lack of rainfall. Farmers are committing suicide. Dams have huge capacity but no water for the past three years. We urge the government to declare it drought-hit area," a farmer told ANI.

Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that a total of 200 talukas in the state had been identified as scarcity-like conditions.

Fadnavis had said that the state ministers were apprised of the prevailing conditions and were also asked to submit a report to him on the issue.

"The main focus is how to tackle the drought-hit talukas in the state. One of the main reasons behind the drought is the low rainfall which has been recorded 77 per cent only, less than the average mark in the state. We are following the drought manual given by the Centre and that has helped us in planning everything well in advance," he had said.

The Chief Minister also said that a central team will soon be visiting to these talukas to review the situation. "Be it water-scarcity issues or crop damages, I have instructed the ministers to make a detailed plan after they visit the drought-hit talukas. This not only helps in understanding the situation but allows to a counter-check. Above all, we are well prepared to control the situation that has come before us," Fadnavis had said.