India - El Nino leaves North MP, Bundelkhand dry

22.09.2015 424 views
As monsoon is all set to withdraw by month end, El Nino has hit hard whole of Bundelkhand and Gwalior-Chambal region and parts of eastern MP. Scarce rain in these areas have been badly damaged crops. Director, Indian Meteorological department state unit Anupam Kashyapi said after scarce rain, it is going to be a warmer winter, this year. El Nino, or a warming of sea-surface temperatures in Pacific, can lead to blistering weather across Asia and east Africa and result in heavy rain and floods in South America. This has been the strongest El Nino and would continue to affect weather till first quarter of next year, said Kashyapi. "Not only the onset of winter is going to be delayed but also it is going to be warmer all across the country," he said. Before the onset of monsoon he had advised government to ask the farmers to go for crops that require less water as from mid-August to September there would be less rainfall. Now, almost at the end of monsoon Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Morena, Sheopur and Shivpuri are facing drought-like conditions. "These districts have received almost 30% less rainfall than their yearly quota," he said. Besides, in all the districts of Bundelkhand including Sagar, Damoh, Panna, Tikamgarh and Chhatarpur, situation is very bad. Monsoon has also disappointed Anuppur, Shahdol, Katni, Rewa, Sidhi Singrauli and Balaghat districts. Kashyapi said from September 20 to 22, rainfall is likely in many places of east MP but situation is going to be "irreparable" in the abovementioned 12 districts. Situation may improve in Mandla, Jabalpur, Narisgnpur, Satna, Seoni and Umaria as monsoon is still active for three days in this region. He said all districts of western MP and districts of Chhindwara and Dindori, monsoon has been normal. Meanwhile, Congress has already started making demand to declare Gwalior -Chambal region as drought affected. In a letter written to chief minister, Congress MLA from Sheopur, Ramniwas Rawat raised the demand. He said there has been no rainfall in the region for last 30 days. "There is no moisture left in the fields and all crops of soyabean, paddy, linseed and pulses among others have been completely damaged." "Had there been a UPA government, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would have written a letter seeking help. But NDA government is not listening to him and he can do little. Farmers have also not been compensated for last year's damaged crop," he said. Agriculture minister Gaurishankar Bisen talking to TOI said, "I am waiting for a report from revenue department. As soon as I get it, I will let you know about crop condition in the state."
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