Half of the nation is in deep drought
We seem to have forgotten the drought situation in the wake of upcoming Lokasabha elections and the campaigning that’s happening to bolster that, the hyper nationalism and political polarization that’s happening in the country. In this backdrop, the caution sounded by scientists is highly concerning. They have stated more than 50% of India is facing severe drought like situation. This caution has its roots in all the data they collected regarding humidity, level of moisture in soil, and the details they got from Metreological Deparment to arrive at this precise and decisive conclusion. Simultaneously, they have also spoken about the plummeting ground water level as well.
Because of this extreme drought, the country will face massive drinking water problems. Even states like Arunachal have not received adequate rainfall this year. Gujarat, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamilnadu have faced serious shortfall of rain this time. As a result of that a very widespread drought situation is looming large on most parts of India. Continued shortfall of rain has left groundwater tables parched because no adequate measures have been taken to recharge them. Whether the water is needed or not people continue to extract groundwater. not just for drinking purposes groundwater is now used for agriculture as well as a result of that groundwater is going to plummet to depths.
Farmers like to grow those cash crops that bring them major financial gains. sugarcane and paddy require more water but farmers prefer growing them most times. So the irrigation schemes are not being used well. Karnataka is facing equally dire drought situation. Both seasonal rains have failed. The state is staring at major scarcity of drinking water. Over 156 taluks of 16 districts are facing problems.
Heat is getting unbearable even in the month of March. Specially Kalaburgi, Raichur, Koppal, Bagalkot, Bellary, Haveri, Vijayapura, Gadag, Uttara Kannada, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Bidar and Belagavi are already running into problems. Drinking water has become scarce. Scarcity of cattle feed is very high in North and South Karnataka regions. A spell of rain should have that has 188 mm of rainfall but we have received only 96 mm of rainfall as a result of this drought is in a very serious and threatening condition. the economical situation of the country has also run into trouble because of the drought. Small farmers and poor people are suffering the most. the caution issued by the scientists that if the measures to recharge groundwater table are not initiated, next year the situation maybe even more dire has to be taken seriously not just by the government but also by the people.
Initiating measures to deal with the drought like situation when it arrives is not adequate. Long term measures to tackle this situation can only bring better solutions. Though nature can be held responsible for the issues that we are facing today, the assault on nature in the name of industrialization is what has contributed to the threatening conditions we live in today. Air pollution, water pollution, global warming, damage to Ozone layer all these have adequately contributed to the drought we are facing today.
The situation is not any different in coastal areas like Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada. Some districts have been earmarked as drought stricken too here. Most of all the taluks in Dakshina Kannada have been declared drought stricken now. Long term solutions that can tackle the root cause of drought have to be taken up. Encroached lakes and ponds have to be freed and desilted. Encroachment of forest has to be stopped and green measures have to be taken up without delay. Rain water harvesting has to be initiated on war footing. This way, drought like situation can be dealt with in a better manner.
Not just these, other measures too are necessary to be initiated. Job guarantee and drinking water supply along with cattle feed supply have to be taken up without delay. Central government has to take all states into confidence and draw up drought relief programmes that suit their conditions. All states have to comply with the centre on this. Only then can we hope to tackle drought with some strength and planning.
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Fadnavis, Shinde, Pawar? Speculation rises over CM post as Mahayuti heads for landslide win in Maha
Mumbai: With counting still underway for Maharashtra's 288 Assembly constituencies, early trends show the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is heading for a landslide victory. Meanwhile, speculation is intensifying over who will lead the state government.
The BJP’s seat tally is projected to rise significantly from 105 in 2019 to around 125, commanding its role as the dominant member in the alliance, with a staggering strike rate of 84%.
BJP spokesperson Pravin Darekar expressed that Devendra Fadnavis, a two-term Chief Minister, might reclaim the top post, describing the results as “overwhelming.” However, Shiv Sena spokesperson Sheetal Mhatare argued for continuity, advocating for current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to retain the role.
BJP leader Keshav Upadhaye emphasized that the election outcome reflects the people's vote for development, but he noted that many party workers favor Fadnavis as the Chief Minister.
Adding to the drama, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, a Deputy Chief Minister in the current government, has also emerged as a potential contender. His wife, Sunetra Pawar, publicly expressed her desire to see him as Maharashtra's Chief Minister, further fueling discussions within the coalition.
