353 villages in Kutch district declared drought-hit

A total of 353 villages in Kutch district of Gujaraton Friday  were declared completely or partially scarcity-hit and officials asked to provide adequate drinking water and cattle fodder to the affected areas.

The step was taken in view of a weak monsoon in major parts of the district. Of the total villages, 79 were declared completely scarcity-hit and 274 as partially affected by water shortage by Chief Minister Anandi Patel.

According to an official release, Patel has asked government departments concerned to start providing adequate drinking water to the affected villagers. The administration has also been asked to provide cattle fodder to farmers.

The government has announced various relief measures to tackle the situation. These include providing 4 kgs of fodder at rate of Rs 2 per kg to cattle rearers, assistance of Rs 25 per livestock in cattle relief camps and employment to villagers under MNREGA, it said.

On Wednesday, Patel had presided over a high-level meeting called to assess preparedness of the state machinery to deal with water scarcity in Kutch, one of the largest districts in the country, due to scanty rainfall.

According to the government, Abdasa, Lakhpat and Rapar taluks of Kutch district have received less than 50 per cent of average rainfall, resulting in paucity of water for the people as well as livestocks.