{
  "id": 12637067,
  "title": "Jalgaon: Drought Declared Across All 15 Talukas, 536 Mitigation Measures Planned",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/jalgaon-drought-declared-across-all-15-talukas-536-mitigation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T13:21:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/jalgaon-drought-declared-across-all-15-talukas-536-mitigation-measures-planned"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jalgaon district has declared a drought across all 15 talukas due to an unusually dry monsoon. The district's dams currently hold 92% of their capacity, with water reserved solely for drinking purposes. The administration has devised a comprehensive district action plan, outlining 536 mitigation measures to address the projected water scarcity. Expected water shortages could impact 23 villages by December, 244 villages by March, and 521 villages by June.\n\nThe district is well-stocked with fodder, which should suffice for about six months, after which supplemental fodder production will be initiated by the Forest Department and through sorghum cultivation on agricultural lands. Kharif crop yields are anticipated to decline significantly, with cotton yields potentially down by 25% to 30%, maize by 40% to 45%, kharif sorghum by 25%, black gram by 30% to 35%, green gram by 30% to 35%, pigeon pea by 25% to 30%, and pearl millet by 50% to 60%.\n\nThe district received 486 mm of rainfall this year, falling short of the expected 603 mm. Bodwad taluka recorded the lowest rainfall at 58.4% of the average, while Parola taluka received the highest at 97.7%. Nashik's Food and Drug Administration seized 80,208 packaged drinking water bottles valued at ₹8.16 lakh in Dhule.\n\nThe Jalgaon District Collector, Rohan Ghuge, acknowledged the timely preparation by the district administration to tackle the situation. The district comprises 112 minor irrigation projects, 14 medium irrigation projects, and three major projects. The Waghur project, supplying water to Jalgaon, is at 71.3% capacity, the Hatnur project on the Tapi River is at full capacity at 100%, and the Girna project, the largest dam in North Maharashtra, stands at 99.3%. Medium irrigation projects hold 74.5% of their capacity, while minor irrigation projects cover 66.4%.\n\nGiven the high summer temperatures and expected evaporation, Ghuge emphasized the need for water conservation. All available water has been earmarked for drinking purposes, and the administration has issued instructions to use water sparingly.",
  "summary": "Jalgaon: Drought has been declared across 15 talukas of Jalgaon district and the administration is prepared to tackle the situation. Although the district's dams hold 92% of their water capacity, the water has been reserved for drinking purposes. Anticipating potential water scarcity, the administration has prepared a district action plan, with 536 mitigation measures planned through June.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}