From drought to deluge: Weather extremes seal Marathwada’s fate

At least 74% of its population dependent on agriculture and allied activities, which is way over the average dependency of 53% in the state

MUMBAI: After announcing the ₹31,628 crore aid for flood affected villagers in Marathwada recently, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed the need to “take steps with a long term perspective bearing climate change in mind”. “Though it has flooded this time, Marathwada has been synonymous with drought for decades, and that fear of the risk will continue even in the future,” Fadnavis told HT, after the announcement.

In this May 10, 2016, photo, a Shepard drinks water on the dry bed of Manjara Dam, which supplies water to Latur and nearby villages in Marathwada region, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Failed monsoons play havoc with millions of farmers in central India leading to crippling poverty and soaring suicides. Some 400 farmers have killed themselves so far this year in the parched Marathwada region, which is home to about 19 million people.(AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (AP)

The risk of climate change is the second crucial challenge that has surfaced