20 August,2026 09:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The situation marks a sharp decline from last year. Representational Pic/File
Maharashtra's Marathwada region has received 18 per cent less rainfall than its average so far this monsoon, with Latur and Parbhani recording the most significant deficits, according to official data, reported the PTI.
The region, comprising Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Latur, Dharashiv, Hingoli and Nanded districts, has received 365 mm of rainfall so far this year - around 82 per cent of the expected 444.9 mm, the news agency reported.
The situation marks a sharp decline from last year.
By 20 August 2025, Marathwada had recorded 475.1 mm of rainfall, equivalent to 106.8 per cent of the average.
According to the PTI, Latur has recorded the largest rainfall deficit in the region at 40.5 per cent. The district has received only 269.6 mm against its average rainfall of 453.1 mm.
Parbhani has reported a deficit of 32.2 per cent, with 346.6 mm of rainfall against an expected 511.5 mm. This amounts to just 67.8 per cent of its average rainfall.
Most districts in Marathwada are considered drought-prone, making the rainfall shortfall particularly concerning for agriculture and water availability.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is the only district in the region to have received rainfall above its average so far.
The district has recorded 384.8 mm of rainfall against an average of 376.6 mm, according to a report from the divisional commissioner's office, as per the PTI.
The rainfall deficit has also affected water storage in the region's major irrigation projects. The 11 major projects currently hold 125.75 TMC of water, equivalent to 69.06 per cent of their total storage capacity.
The situation is particularly concerning at the Sina Kolegaon project on the Sina river in Dharashiv, where the current water stock has fallen to zero. At the same time last year, the project held 93.73 per cent of its storage capacity.
The Manjara project in Beed has also witnessed a steep decline in its water reserves. Its current water stock stands at just 14.89 per cent of total capacity, compared with 95.54 per cent during the corresponding period last year, the news agency reported.
The sharp fall in rainfall and reservoir levels could put further pressure on drinking water supplies, irrigation and agricultural activities across Marathwada if substantial rainfall does not occur in the remaining monsoon period.
(with PTI inputs)
