MP’s Dhar Records 42% Less Rainfall Than Last Year, Water Shortage Concerns Rise

Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh has experienced a significant rainfall deficit of nearly 42% during the current monsoon season, with only 6,902.8 mm of rainfall recorded compared to the 11,973.5 mm received during the same period last year. This trend of low rainfall is not isolated to Dhar, as it is one of the ten districts in Madhya Pradesh that have received comparatively less precipitation this monsoon season.

As the monsoon begins to withdraw, the consequences of this rainfall deficit are becoming apparent, particularly in the district's water sources.

Several ponds in Dhar have failed to fill adequately, while declining water levels in some areas have raised concerns about water availability for both drinking and irrigation purposes during the upcoming summer. Farmer Anmol Patidar expressed that the low rainfall has adversely affected water availability in ponds and tube wells, potentially impacting the upcoming rabi crop, especially wheat, which demands a higher water supply.

In response to these concerns, farmer Anmol Patidar suggested that farmers might opt for gram cultivation after harvesting soybean, as gram requires comparatively less water for cultivation.

Rajendra Sharma, a representative of the farmers' association, emphasized that the insufficient water in ponds and dams could have far-reaching implications for both agriculture and the drinking-water supply in urban areas during the summer months. Sharma urged the local administration and the government to take prompt action to mitigate the potential water shortage. He further demanded that the government consider declaring Dhar district drought-affected due to the rainfall deficit and the emerging water-related concerns.