**<a href="/category/bhandara" class="text-brand font-semibold hover:underline">Bhandara</a>**: As the monsoon season draws to a close, concerns over a possible water crisis are growing in Bhandara district. The district has received 27% less rainfall than the seasonal average this year, raising concerns over agriculture, water storage and drinking water availability in the coming months.
Normally, Bhandara receives more than 1,150 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 30. However, this year the district recorded only 849.5 mm of rainfall during the entire monsoon season.
According to district administration data, rainfall remained below normal across all seven tehsils. Pauni recorded the lowest rainfall at 62.5% of the normal level. Bhandara received 74.3%, Lakhandoor 74.5%, Tumsar 78.1%, Mohadi 84.1%, Lakhni 85.7% and Sakoli 91.3%.
No tehsil in the district managed to reach its normal seasonal rainfall figure.
The rainfall deficit has also affected water storage in dams, ponds and other reservoirs. According to local assessments, the water level this year is reportedly less than half of last year's level. Long gaps between rainfall spells also delayed paddy transplantation, affecting the agricultural cycle.
Farmers are now facing pest-related challenges, including attacks by Tudtuda and Khodkit. The Agriculture Department has indicated that crop production could decline by around 30% to 40% if the situation continues.
Meanwhile, the state government's recent drought declaration covering 265 talukas has added another point of concern. Tumsar, Mohadi, Sakoli and Lakhni tehsils of Bhandara district were not included in the drought-affected list.
Farmer organizations have questioned the exclusion, arguing that rainfall in these areas was still significantly below normal. They have demanded that all seven tehsils of Bhandara be considered for drought relief and immediate assistance.
If substantial rainfall does not occur ahead of the next agricultural season, the district could face increasing pressure on rabi crops as well as drinking water supplies. The administration has appealed to residents and farmers to use available water resources carefully.
Farmers' groups, meanwhile, are demanding that the government declare all seven tehsils of Bhandara district drought-affected and provide immediate relief to affected farmers.