LUCKNOW: The prediction of a near-normal monsoon seasonal rainfall during 2013 is likely to come as sweet music to many parched pockets of the country which have been battling severe drought. It is perhaps time to turn such anticipated happy tidings into concrete measures and set up mechanisms whereby rainwater harvesting can be initiated to capitalize on the rains.
According to the Indian Metereological Department, the year 2013 is likely to witness 96% to 104% long average rainfall over July to September. The long period average rainfall during the season is estimated at 89 cm throughout the country.
Water experts believe drought in many parts can be stemmed if the groundwater is sufficiently recharged. Former member of Maharashtra State Planning Board H M Desarda recently pointed out that there was water scarcity, even in areas with normal rainfall because of complete neglect of the water table, indiscriminate sand mining and lack of watershed development in villages.
The repeated cycle of droughts could be averted in the coming year if water resource experts move away from their obsession with big dams and canal projects. They should instead work towards mobilizing communities to adopt micro-watershed development projects and in-situ rainwater harvesting measures.
Small sustainable steps taken in the wake of the monsoon could bear fruits in the crop seasons to come.
