Drought to be ground-checked in Wardha's Karanja taluka, one of 18 more talukas in the state

Wardha: To assess the drought more accurately, the state government has approved ground-truthing of its severity in 18 more talukas, including Karanja taluka in Wardha district. The relief and rehabilitation department issued the government resolution on October 9.

In these talukas, 20 per cent of the five main crops will be surveyed, and findings from satellite images, maps and computer data will be checked against conditions in the fields, under the Drought Management Manual, 2016. The decision follows directions from the cabinet sub-committee's September 29 meeting and takes into account the rainfall deficit from June to September and other factors.

Under a September 25 government resolution based on the 2026 kharif season, drought has been declared in 265 talukas of the state under trigger-1 criteria, with 12 relief measures and concessions in force. The new verification list also includes talukas in Chandrapur, Gondia and Bhandara districts of Vidarbha.

Source: Mahasamvad