Central team to assess drought conditions in Yavatmal

A central government Inter-Ministerial Team (IMCT) is scheduled to visit the Yavatmal district on October 10 to assess drought conditions caused by significant rainfall gaps and declining groundwater levels. The team will conduct field inspections in four villages within the Ner tehsil—Loni, Mandavgad, Vatfali, and Dodki—to evaluate crop status, water availability, and the impact on local farmers.

Data indicates a serious decline in groundwater, with an average drop of 1.11 meters across all 16 tehsils in the district compared to the five-year average. The Mahagaon tehsil recorded the most significant decrease at 2.47 meters. Consequently, drought criteria have been met in all 16 tehsils, including Darwha, Digras, and Pusad.

In the neighboring Akola district, legislator Harish Pimple has formally requested the District Collector to establish a drought control war room. The proposal aims to facilitate daily reviews of crop damage, monitor water and fodder supplies, and coordinate departmental responses to address drinking water shortages and agricultural distress in rural areas.