Amravati’s administration has been directed to intensify drought preparedness after the district received only 56% of its average monsoon rainfall, with drinking water, groundwater recharge, fodder and electricity supply identified as immediate priorities. Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule issued the directions at a review meeting as officials assessed the impact of the projected drought conditions.
Bawankule said district officials must remain vigilant and take proactive steps to reduce the effects of water scarcity in the coming months. The district’s crop-loss assessment has been completed, and a proposal seeking Rs 734 crore in compensation for farmers has been submitted to the state government.
Farmers are being provided 12-hour electricity supply for Rabi cultivation, while awareness campaigns will discourage the planting of water-intensive crops. A District Connect App has also been launched to coordinate drought-management work across 11 departments and provide real-time information to field agencies. Officials have been asked to organise a workshop for departments and prepare village-level drought mitigation plans, while studying measures implemented in Dharashiv district.
Groundwater levels have fallen sharply and major reservoirs are holding about half their capacity, officials said. Drinking water requirements will receive priority in the allocation of available stocks. In Morshi taluka, where borewell water levels have declined significantly, permission for new borewells will not be granted. The administration will instead seek expert assistance to revive defunct borewells.
The district has fodder stocks estimated to last around 100 days. Fodder cultivation has begun on 20 hectares of grazing land, and officials have been instructed to prevent fodder from being transported outside Amravati. A committee will recommend regulatory measures, while brick-making units using crop residue have been directed to reserve 50% of their stocks.
The Groundwater Survey Department has proposed 1,700 recharge shafts, alongside 1,800 water-conservation works under the Viksit Bharat employment and livelihood programme. The district will also dig 42,000 Jaltara pits. To support uninterrupted electricity supply, Rs 20 crore has been allocated from the District Planning Fund. The chief engineer of MSEDCL has been asked to hold monthly meetings with public representatives, and the administration has proposed appointing and training a Gram Vidyut Vyavasthapak in every village.
Bawankule also directed officials to complete drinking-water schemes that are at least 75% finished, provide them with power connections and commission them without delay. Public wells are to be repaired and maintained for emergency use before summer. Taluka-level coordination committees have been asked to hold regular reviews, prepare village development plans focused on water conservation, reduce leakages in tap-water schemes and promote judicious water use. Officials have also been directed to repair both functional and non-functional wells ahead of the summer season.
