India - El Nino leaves North MP, Bundelkhand dry

22.09.2015 261 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."
02.02.2026

USA - Record-Breaking Cold Hits South, Leaving Snow, Accidents and Crop Damage

Record-breaking cold gripped the Southeast this weekend, bringing heavy snow to parts of Tennessee and North Carolina, canceling flights across the region and threatening citrus crops in Florida.

02.02.2026

Ghana - Government deepens engagement with fish farmers to boost aquaculture sector

The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, has concluded a two-day working tour of major aquaculture facilities across the Eastern, Volta, and Greater Accra Regions.

02.02.2026

India - Govt Social Security Insurance Coverage Crosses 125 Crore Policies

The Union government on Monday said it is steadily expanding the reach of affordable insurance across the country through a mix of low-premium social security schemes, regulatory reforms and digital outreach, with the long-term objective of bringing every citizen under some form of insurance protection by 2047.

02.02.2026

Study shows insect farming byproduct boosts soil health, reduces crop damage

With insect farming projected to produce millions of tons of insects in the coming years, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers offer evidence that the insect farming byproduct called "frass" can improve soil health and reduce insect damage in soybean crops.

02.02.2026

USA - Winter weather creates hard work for local livestock farmers

While many residents were safely tucked inside during the snowstorm that hit the Shenandoah Valley on Jan. 25, Mindy Lipinski of Revercomb Farms in Bridgewater was not.

02.02.2026

USA - Statewide $10M agriculture innovation grant coming soon for Pennsylvania startups

Pennsylvania is reopening a funding opportunity for local agricultural technology companies, presenting another chance for startups in the space to level up their products.

01.02.2026

Australia - CSIRO’s research to tackle $150 million in crop loss

New research has unlocked the genetic code of a crop damaging fungus, opening the way for improved disease control

01.02.2026

India - Union Budget 2026 raises farm allocation but cuts crop insurance, keeps key schemes underfunded

Agriculture and allied activities saw an allocation of Rs 1.62 lakh crore, an increase of around 7 per cent compared to Revised Estimates of Rs 1.51 lakh crore in 2025-26.