Bhopal, Aug 10 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh has received 483 mm rainfall against the normal 571 mm between June 1 and August 10, recording a 15 per cent deficit this monsoon, the state government said on Monday.
The figures were shared at a meeting of ministers and senior officials chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at the Mantralaya to review the rainfall situation and its impact on agriculture, water availability and other sectors.
Eastern Madhya Pradesh received 513.20 mm rainfall during the period, while western Madhya Pradesh recorded 459.80 mm. Around half of the state’s districts have received normal rainfall, while some have recorded deficient rainfall and others are expected to receive more rain in the coming days.
The state’s normal annual rainfall is 949.50 mm, while paddy sowing has been completed on 84 per cent of the targeted area.
The meeting also reviewed the water storage position. As of August 10, the state’s dams had around 49 per cent storage, against a five‑year average of 59 per cent and 75 per cent last year. There are 36 reservoirs with storage of 50 per cent or less, while 18 water bodies have storage levels between 50 and 90 per cent below their capacity.
“Measures must be taken to ensure that citizens, including farmers, do not face any hardship due to these unusual conditions,” Yadav said. He directed officials to regularly monitor rainfall and water levels in dams, reservoirs and ponds.
State and district disaster control rooms were asked to remain operational to record incidents of waterlogging and damage and assess the need to shift people from vulnerable areas to safer locations. Relief camps should be arranged wherever necessary, officials were told.
For the upcoming Rabi season, officials were directed to encourage farmers to grow crops that require less irrigation and to ensure adequate availability of seeds, particularly gram. The government also asked departments to ensure sufficient availability of fertilisers and seeds and maximise farmer enrolment under crop insurance schemes.
Officials were asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply for irrigation, carry out road maintenance after rains and issue timely warnings to people in low‑lying areas whenever water is released from dams.
The meeting also reviewed measures to prevent infectious diseases during the monsoon. Health authorities were directed to maintain adequate stocks of medicines in all districts.
The Revenue Department was asked to conduct transparent surveys of crops damaged by excessive rainfall or waterlogging and expedite compensation to affected farmers from the Disaster Relief Fund.
“Timely assessment of crop damage and prompt action on compensation should be ensured so that affected farmers do not face further hardship,” Yadav said.
The meeting also reviewed complaints related to moong procurement. Officials were directed to act on quality‑related complaints, form special teams wherever work is delayed and take action against black marketing.
