State prepares for El Niño-linked rainfall deficit

Officials noted that the development of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) could reduce the impact of El Niño to some extent.

Fertiliser distribution should be linked with AgriStack to improve transparency.

Fadnavis asked the agriculture department to ensure adequate fodder to prevent livestock shortages and to promote fodder cultivation in reservoir-backwater areas, with emphasis on Solapur, Sangli, and parts of Marathwada where large livestock populations and fodder shortages are common.

Agriculture minister Dattatraya Bharne said his department will promote the ‘farm pond scheme’; materials, particularly plastic lining for farm ponds, will be made available.

Fadnavis directed the administration to expedite work under the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan and the Galmukt Dharan-Galyukt Shivar Yojana, and to undertake water conservation work under the ‘G Ramji’ scheme.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered formation of district-level task forces involving district collectors, irrigation officials, and representatives of local self-government bodies; stressed saving water and prudent use if rainfall drops below 90% of the average and that drinking water planning should consider the next summer as well.

Officials from the water resources department stated reservoir storage is 45%, up from 38% last year; Fadnavis noted storage levels are higher than at the end of the 2015 monsoon.

Officials said the 8% shortfall would mean less water for crops and irrigation as reservoirs may not receive adequate supply; Marathwada and parts of North Maharashtra are likely to face greater deficits.

An official from the India Meteorological Department presented that the state would get around 92% of its average annual rainfall; deficits are expected in Marathwada and parts of North Maharashtra, including Nashik, Jalgaon, Dhule, Nandurbar, and Ahilyanagar.

The article notes that lessons from the 2015 El Niño helped save crops in 2018 through timely interventions.