Uneven rainfall distribution in Maha, Vidarbha 20 pc deficient

Although the southwest monsoon has covered entire Maharashtra, the state has so far witnessed uneven distribution of rainfall, with Vidarbha region getting 20 per cent deficient rains, the IMD data has revealed.
The cumulative figures show that except Vidarbha region, Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada subdivisions have received "good" showers in the last four days. However, a closer look at the figures reveal that there has been uneven distribution of rainfall in these regions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The data released by the IMD's New Delhi office says that Vidarbha region, one of the largest producers of cotton, soyabean, orange and rice, has so far witnessed 20 per cent deficient rains.

The Vidarbha subdivision has 11 districts, making it the largest in terms of the geographical area. Compared to its normal rainfall of 347.8 mm from June 1 to July 18, this eastern part of the state has received only 278.9 mm rainfall till now.
Out of the 11 districts in Vidarbha region, which is infamous for the large number of farmers' suicides, only four have reported "normal" rainfall in the season, while the remaining districts have received deficient rainfall, the IMD data showed.
Madhya (central) Maharashtra- the second largest subdivision that comprises 10 districts, has received 326.6 mm rainfall from June 1 as against its normal rainfall of 283.8 mm. The rainfall is 15 per cent higher (than the average), which the IMD has termed as "normal".

Districts like Ahmednagar, Nashik, Pune and Solapur have received "excess" rainfall from June 1, while Kolhapur and Sangli have received deficient rainfall. Rest of the districts have received normal rainfall, the IMD data has revealed.

The agriculturally-important districts, like Jalgaon (-14%), Kolhapur (-25%) and Sangli (-39%) districts in western Maharashtra are still in deficient rainfall category, the IMD data stated.
"The only positive development for this subdivision so far is that there has been good rainfall in Nashik, Pune and Ahmednagar districts, where several major rivers and their tributaries originate. Godavari, Pravara, Neera, Mula, Mutha, Indrayani, Bhima, Bhama and Ghod are the major rivers that irrigate Central Maharashtra and good showers in the catchment areas augur well for farming," Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar told PTI today.

Marathwada subdivision on the other hand has received -2 per cent rainfall, although the actual distribution of rains is quite uneven. Except Osmanabad district that has received 285.1 mm rainfall as against its normal precipitation of 208.9 mm, no other district in this subdivision has got excess rainfall. Rest of the districts have received either slightly less or more rainfall.
Parbhani is the only district in Marathwada, which has received deficient rainfall of 201.5 mm as compared to its normal figure of 265.2 mm, the IMD data has revealed.
Konkan region, which includes the state capital Mumbai- the rainfall recorded so far was 403.5 mm as against its normal precipitation of 398.6 mm. But except the small-scale production of rice, this region does not contribute much to the state agriculture production.

A senior official from the state agriculture department confirmed that uneven distribution of rains is the "reality".
"We need to wait for another 15 days to see whether most of the districts get good showers. Mumbai or Konkan area receiving good showers does not benefit much to the state agriculture. Even a half of its rainfall is sufficient for Marathwada, which produces foodgrain like jowar, pulses and oily seeds to the state," the official said.