No satisfactory rains in Marathwada,Vidarbha

Mumbai,June 28 (UNI) Most parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha regions in Maharashtra have not received satisfactory rains so far even as monsoon arrived in most parts of the state on June 20.

According to an official release issued here today, as many as 43 talukas in Nagpur division did not receive rains till June 20.

Except Buldhana district in Amravati division, Vidarbha has not received satisfactory rains. Similarly, in Aurangabad division, Nanded, Hingoli and Parbhani districts have not received rains required for commencing sowing operations.

The state has received 62.9 per cent rains as compared to the average rainfall till June 26, 2006.

Satara district in Western Maharashtra has received the highest rainfall so far while Gondia district has received the least rainfall, the release added.

According to officials, the Kharif sowing operations is going on at slow pace. Out of the 355 talukas, two have received very heavy rains, 72 have received heavy rains, 133 have received medium, 83 have got below average rains while 65 talukas have not received rains at all.

Kharif sowing operations have been completed in eight per cent of the kharif crop sowing hectre of land.

UNI MR ADG MSJ ND1800