Maharashtra launches website, app 'Maha madat' to analyze drought situation
The Maharashtra Government has launched a website and a mobile application for collectively analyzing the rainfall, crop situation, and underground water level using modern technology. This will help them accurately analyze the drought-like situation in villages of the state, said Chandrakant Patil, Rehabilitation and Relief Minister in Mumbai yesterday, after the inauguration of the website, 'Maha madat', which has been created by his Ministry.
Website created by Patil's Ministry, State Remote Sensing Application Center
The Relief and Rehabilitation Ministry was also helped by Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Center to make the website. Speaking at the meet, Patil said the Center in 2016 laid down criteria for declaring drought in an area. According to it, if there's no rain for 21 days continuously and considering the study of humidity of soil, crop situation, level of groundwater, drought is declared.
According to first criterion, 201 talukas in Maharashtra are drought-affected
Patil said according to the government's first criterion, 201 talukas in the state haven't received rain for 21 continuous days. "The second criterion is under study...its report will be available on Monday. Thereafter, the talukas fulfilling both the criteria will be declared as affected by a drought-like situation," Patil said, adding, after this, a survey will be carried out at the district magistrate level.
Survey report to be sent to Union Government for declaration
After the survey, to be carried out till October 25, a proposal will be sent to the Union Government for declaring the talukas as drought-affected. "The gathered information will be collected at the website and analysis will be carried out. This will help in accurately taking the decision for declaring any village drought-affected or facing a drought-like situation for providing people assistance," said Patil.
