Drought severity to be verified on the ground in Nanded's Mudkhed and Mukhed talukas

Nanded: To assess the drought more accurately, the state government has approved on-the-ground verification ('ground truthing') of drought severity in 18 more talukas, including Mudkhed and Mukhed in Nanded district. The relief and rehabilitation department issued the government order on Friday, October 9.

In these talukas, 20 per cent of the area under the five main crops will be surveyed, and findings drawn from satellite images, maps and computer data will be checked through field visits. The exercise will follow the Drought Management Code, 2016, and is expected to show the true condition of crops and give the government objective information for further decisions.

The decision follows instructions given at a cabinet sub-committee meeting on September 29, taking into account the rainfall deficit between June and September and other factors. Under a government order of September 25, drought has already been declared in 265 talukas where trigger 1 applies, and 12 relief measures and concessions are in force there.

Besides Nanded, the verification will cover Jivati, Brahmapuri and Ballarpur in Chandrapur district; Amgaon, Deori, Salekasa and Gondia in Gondia district; Karanja in Wardha; Mohadi and Tumsar in Bhandara; Trimbakeshwar, Chandwad and Niphad in Nashik; Patan in Satara; and Shirala and Walwa in Sangli.

Sources: Mahasamvad; Loksatta