NEW DELHI, 22 July 2004 — Just a day after promising the federal government’s assistance to cope with flood emergency, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warned of possible drought in several parts of the country given the scant rain in those areas during the monsoon.
He told Parliament that of the 36 meteorological subdivisions, 16 had experienced “deficient” or “scanty” amounts of rain, with affected areas including vast swathes of the southwestern, central and northern states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
Manmohan said officials have been asked to review the situation on a weekly basis, adding: “The government shall spare no efforts in providing all possible assistance to people in the eventuality of a drought.”
Grain stocks are being increased in areas of low rainfall and measures are being taken to provide adequate drinking water.
“The cumulative rainfall between June 1 and July 14 has been 264 mm compared to the normal of 291.8 mm. This means around 10 percent below normal,” he said.
Two-thirds of the country is dependent on rain for agriculture, 80 percent of which is expected during the summer-monsoon that is from June to September.
With the Agricultural Ministry keeping a close watch on the situation, Manmohan said that the officials have been instructed to assess the situation in worst-affected areas in states like Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab.
Manmohan said: “Telangana and Rayalseema regions of Andhra Pradesh, Vidharbha in Maharashtra, western Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand had so far rain deficiency ranging from 25 percent to 51 percent.”
Agriculture Ministry officials would also be discussing contingency crop plan and its logistical details with state governments, the prime minister said. They have also been told to review drought relief preparedness planning. He said: “All state governments have drawn up their plans to ensure drinking water supply in the areas affected by deficient or scanty rains in the eventuality of a shortage of water.”
Manmohan said that after personally reviewing the situation on July 9, he had ordered a weekly review. With the crop sowing season in some states extending up to July end, the precise extent of unsown crop area could only be assessed after July, he said.
