The Maharashtra Government has launched a website and an application for collectively analysing the rainfall, crop situation and underground water level using modern technology.

After inaugurating the website, Maha madat, here on Friday, Rehabilitation and Relief Minister Chandrakant Patil said that the site will help in an accurate analysis of drought-like situation in villages. The website has been created by the Relief and Rehabilitation Ministry with the help of the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC).

Patil said that the Central Government had in 2016 laid down the criteria for declaring drought in an area. According to it, drought is declared if there is no rain for 21 days in continuity and considering the study of humidity of soil, situation of crops, and level of groundwater.

“The gathered information will be collected at the website and the analysis will be carried on. This will help in accurately taking the decision for declaring any village drought-affected or facing a drought-like situation.

“As a result, people can be provided immediate assistance,” Patil said.

According to the first criteria laid by the Centre related to drought, 201 talukas in Maharashtra have not received rain for 21 continuous days.

“The second criteria is under study and it will be completed soon and the report will be available on Monday.

“After this, those talukas that are fulfilling both the criteria, will be declared as affected by a drought-like situation and various measures will be undertaken in these villages to control the situation,” he said.

Patil said after this a survey will be carried out at the district magistrate level till October 25 and a proposal will be sent to the Union Government for declaring the talukas as drought affected.

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