Drought-like situation prevails in Bengal

At least four western districts of West Bengal are facing the threat of drought due to searing temperature and lack of rainfall.

The state administration is concerned over the severe water shortage in these districts, with nearly 28 lakh people affected.

According to officials, a drought-like situation is prevailing across the four districts of Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore and Burdwan, where some 20 to 28 lakh people are facing severe shortage of water.

While Bengal is facing this crisis for the second year in a row, among the four affected districts, the conditions at Purulia and West Midnapore are worst, said Subrata Mukherjee, a minister who looks after both panchayat & rural development, and public health engineering.

Agriculture Minister Purnendu Basu said that a district is declared “drought hit” when more than 33% of crop has failed.