Nagpur: Vidarbha is staring at a widening water and farm crisis, with the region receiving just 687.3 mm of rainfall in monsoon against the normal 937.3 mm — a 27% shortfall — by Sept 30. There is an acute rainfall deficit in western Vidarbha, with a large area receiving substantially less rain than the seasonal requirement.Nagpur district has received 621 mm against 938.5 mm, which is the second-lowest rainfall since 2015.The low rainfall is a result of weak El Niño conditions that developed during June, which further strengthened during the southwest monsoon season. “A strong El Niño conditions prevailed during end of the season,” said IMD on Wednesday. There is little hope of any recovery as monsoon withdrawal has started, though the normal date is Oct 5 to 10.The impact is no longer just visible in rainfall charts. Amravati, Akola and Washim have received 43%, 41% and 37% less rain than normal, respectively, raising concerns over depleted water sources, soil moisture and crop prospects as the kharif season draws to a close. In Nagpur and Wardha too, the deficit stands at 34% each, while Chandrapur has recorded a 33% shortfall.Amravati has recorded the sharpest deficit, receiving 472.1 mm against its normal 822.9 mm, while Akola has received only 406.9 mm against 694.2 mm. Washim follows with 487.8 mm against 772.3 mm. Wardha has recorded 551.7 mm against 840.8 mm. Chandrapur is also substantially deficient at 718.3 mm against 1,076.3 mm. Yavatmal is 27% deficient and Buldhana 21% deficient.Only three districts received normal rainfall. Gondia recorded 1,206.4 mm rainfall against 1,214.7 mm, a marginal 1% deficit. Bhandara and Gadchiroli, despite recording 16% deficit rain, remain in the normal rainfall category.The prolonged uneven distribution — long dry spells punctuated by scattered heavy showers — failed to adequately replenish water sources in several districts.The water impact could become more pronounced in the coming months. Poor monsoon accumulation means less recharge of reservoirs, tanks and groundwater, increasing dependence on stored water for drinking and irrigation through the post-monsoon and winter periods. Villages and drought-prone pockets in western Vidarbha have already started facing the heat, forcing govt to declare many villages drought-hit.
