Author, Shrikant Bangale
Designation, BBC Marathi Correspondent
“There have been droughts many times before, but we have never seen such a drought. We have never seen such a terrible drought before.”
"We had also seen the drought of 1972. That year it rained after the traditional puja of the Pola festival. So we did not feel the impact of the drought that much. But this year's drought... Oh God!"
Saying this, Damodar Chavan looks towards the sky and folds his hands in prayer. Their words and experiences show how much this year's drought has affected people.
75 year old Damodar Chavan lives in Garsuli village of Renapur tehsil of Latur district. Due to lack of rain, the soybean crop grown in his two-acre field has dried up.
Chavan says, "There has been no rain for one and a half to two months. There was only light rain in between. It rains in the villages, but not in the fields. It rains here, not there. This is the situation."
"If it had rained, at least 12 to 15 bags of soybean would have been produced from one acre. Now perhaps only three or four bags will be available. Look at the condition of the soybean crop. Where are the beans?"
Chavan uproots a soybean plant from his field to show how badly the crop has been affected.
In the year 2026, Latur district has received about 53 percent less rainfall than normal.
An average rainfall of 764 mm was expected in the district between June 1 and October 21. But during this period only 362 mm of rain fell.
Because of this, farmers and common people of Latur district are facing a big crisis.
While roaming in the fields of Garsuli village, dry crops are seen everywhere.
Farmers say that the pigeon pea plants which had grown up to eight feet tall last year, have barely reached two feet this year.
According to the local administration, due to lack of rain, about 80 percent of the crops in Latur district have failed.
Farmer Vishnu Pawar says, "The cost of growing soybean in one acre is around Rs 20 thousand. Now the cost of farming has become more than the income. There has been no rain at all. There is almost no hope of getting any yield from this farm."
Garsuli Minor Irrigation Project is just one kilometer away from Garsuli village. Local people say that till a year ago this reservoir was full to the brim. Today it has completely dried up.
There are cracks in the dry ground. The situation of many other reservoirs of Latur is also similar. The water storage capacity of Garsuli reservoir is 20 lakh cubic meters. Its water irrigates 1,222 acres of land.
But now the reservoir has dried up. In such a situation, there is a possibility of a serious crisis facing four to five nearby villages.
Dattatraya Deshmukh had brought his cattle to this dry reservoir for grazing. He says, "I have never seen such a terrible drought. Now the animals have to search for water in the pits of this dry reservoir. The situation is very bad."
Manjra Dam built in Dhanegaon of Kaij tehsil of neighboring Beed district supplies water to this area. On October 21 last year, this dam had 94 percent water of its total capacity. Today only 7.84 percent water is left in the dam.
Manjra Dam provides water for agriculture and drinking purposes to Latur, Beed and Dharashiv districts. The Latur district administration has widened the gap in water supply in the city.
From October 1, the people of the city are getting water once in six days instead of once in four days.
Latur District Magistrate Dr. Bharat Bastevad says, "Earlier it was estimated that the available water would last till December. To save water, we started supplying water to the city once in six days instead of four days. With this, we will be able to supply water at least till January 15."
"The dead storage water of Manjra Dam, which supplies water to Latur, was estimated to last till June. Now we will plan and manage the available water in such a way that it lasts till July."
Among the eight districts of Marathwada region, Latur has recorded the highest rainfall deficit of 53 percent. Of the nine big dams in Latur district, five now have no water reserves left.
Atul Deulgaonkar, an environmental expert and resident of Latur, says, "Whether we get water once in five days, eight days, 15 days or 20 days, this has always been the cycle of water supply here. Nothing changes."
"It doesn't matter whether the dam is 100 percent full or 80 percent full. We never get water except on one day."
According to the administration, currently fodder lasting for 100 to 125 days is available in Latur district. The district administration is preparing an emergency plan to deal with the fodder shortage. But farmers are worried about what will happen in the upcoming Rabi season.
Damodar Chavan says, "How should we do Rabi sowing now? There is no water in the wells and borewells. Look at any well nearby. There is no water anywhere."
Farmer Vishnu Pawar says, "Now we are dependent on the government for whatever help we can get. There is nothing left in this village."
A few days ago, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the drought situation in Latur district. He also visited the fields and took stock of the damage caused at the ground level. Fadnavis assured the farmers that the government stands firmly with them.
The state government has also announced advance financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for the residents of drought-hit tehsils. This amount will be given before Diwali.
However, farmers say that this assistance is not enough. Farmers are demanding compensation of Rs 50 thousand per hectare.
