Poor rainfall during August has raised worries of a possible drought-like situation across Madhya Pradesh, with 26 of the state's 52 districts receiving around 20% deficient rain, while nine districts including the capital Bhopal, have seen a 30% shortfall, as per IMD reports.
The situation prompted Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to call an emergency meeting of senior officials late on Sunday and issue directions to chalk out a plan to combat the possible drought threat looming in the state.
During the meeting, Chouhan said that due to poor rainfall, farmers may face a tough situation in the coming days as their crops have been damaged.
"We have to be prepared to combat this possible drought. We have to take steps to protect our farmers," he told officials.
The officials apprised the Chief Minister about the situation of dams and other water resources in Madhya Pradesh. Chouhan also said the electricity demand has increased manifold and has directed the officials to provide water for irrigation.
"Till now the dams of the state have not been filled due to the rains. The electricity demand is increasing, efforts are being made to fix all the arrangements. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that everything goes well," he added.
According to the India Meteorological Department in Bhopal, the entire state as of September 3 has reported an 18% rain deficit.
As many as 47 out of districts have reported below-normal rains, ranging between 2 per cent below normal in Anuppur and 46 per cent below normal in Satna district.
The IMD report suggested a very serious position in at least 29 districts, spanning from Sehore and Vidisha (21%) in central MP and Satna, Mandsaur and Ashok Nagar (40-46%) in Vindhya, west MP and Gwalior-Chambal regions, respectively.
While 17 of the 29 worst-hit districts have reported 21-28% below normal rain, between June 1 and September 3, at least eight districts have recorded 30-39% shortfall, while three other districts have reported over 40% below average rainfall in the same period.
