Ambegaon officials have been directed to prepare immediately for possible water scarcity, fodder shortages and crop losses after drought was declared in the taluka, with authorities asked to identify vulnerable villages and hamlets before drinking-water shortages emerge.
The directions were issued by Archana Tambe, Sub-Divisional Officer of the Ambegaon-Junnar division, during a taluka-level review meeting held at the Sub-Divisional Office in Manchar on Thursday. The meeting brought together officials from the revenue, rural development, irrigation, forest and other departments.
Tambe instructed officials and employees to conduct a serious assessment of the possible effects of the drought situation and inspect villages, hamlets and settlements that could face shortages. Where necessary, the administration is to plan water supply through tankers. She also directed departments to take preventive measures before a water crisis develops rather than wait for shortages to become acute.
The review is focused on the condition of wells, existing water-supply schemes and other water sources across Ambegaon taluka. Officials were asked to assess the current status of these sources and prepare an appropriate plan for drinking-water supply. The directions place responsibility on local departments to establish where water is available, identify areas likely to require intervention and coordinate the response through the taluka administration.
Fodder and water for livestock formed another part of the review. Officials were asked to collect information on the fodder currently available, existing stocks and possible demand. The administration is expected to plan for the supply of both fodder and water to livestock as the drought situation develops.
The meeting also addressed damage to agricultural crops. The revenue, agriculture and panchayat samiti machinery has been instructed to conduct field inspections and prepare accurate and transparent crop-loss assessments according to government criteria. The reports are to be submitted on time so that eligible farmers can receive government assistance through the prescribed process.
Tambe said water, fodder and assistance for farmers must receive priority during the drought situation, and directed all departments to work in coordination. The officials present included Ambegaon tehsildar Rahul Sarang, Block Development Officer Pramila Walunj, Kukadi Project Executive Engineer Ganesh Nannor, Forest Range Officer Vikas Bhosale and Sub-Divisional Engineer Datta Kokane.
The administration’s immediate next steps are to inspect vulnerable settlements and water sources, compile fodder and livestock requirements, undertake crop-loss inspections and submit the relevant assessment reports. Tanker supply is to be planned according to the requirements identified through these inspections.
