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Delay in monsoon arrival sets off alarm bells in Rajasthan

Kamla Bora in Jaipur

Delay in arrival of the monsoon has set off alarm bells in Rajasthan, which is facing a severe drought and famine after the failure of rains for two consecutive years. Another failure could be catastrophic.

The south-west monsoon normally hits south-east Rajasthan between June 15 and 17, but is not to be seen even after a week though the weather office had forecast a good monsoon this year.

People's hopes are evaporating as temperatures are hovering above 40 degree celsius in most parts of the state. And now, the weathermen says that there is no hope of the monsoon advancing into Rajasthan for another three days.

The delay may force the state government to continue relief operations in 23406 villages of 26 districts beyond July one, which is the normal date when relief operations are terminated.

Rajasthan receives an average rainfall of 536 mm a year, which is very low. Even this is irregular and causes repeated droughts. In the last 25 years, the state experienced drought on 21 occasions putting the administration under severe strain.

With the population of the desert-state rising steadily, demand for water, for drinking and irrigation purpose, has been increasing leading to over-exploitation of ground water and a steep fall in the underground water table. Experts say it may have gone down by 2.8 metres due to the repeated failure of the rains.

As many as 41 panchayat samiti areas out of 237 are officially identified as over-critical, where the rate of ground water usage exceeds that of recharge. In 26, the rate of exploitation is above 90 per cent of recharge and in 34 others, the rate is between 70 and 90 per cent of the recharge rate.

Since 80 per cent of the drinking water supply schemes and 60 per cent of the irrigation schemes depend on ground water, it is essential that the state receive good rains to recharge the ground water.

The state has no perennial river except Chambal, which passes through its southern part. All other water bodies in the state have gone dry due to the repeated failure of the monsoon, causing people to migrate in large numbers.

Officials concede that the state would face a critical situation if the rains failed this year too as the state was already facing a severe financial crunch.

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