Mumbai, Sep 1: Kharif sowing in Maharashtra reached 1.36 crore hectares as of August 31 for the 2026-27 season, covering 95 per cent of the average area. Deficit rainfall and prolonged dry spells during the monsoon season led to a reduction of approximately eight lakh hectares compared to the five-year average. Significant regional disparities have emerged across the state, with Konkan, Marathwada, and parts of Western Maharashtra trailing notably.

Agriculture department officials have noted that since Kharif sowing typically concludes by the end of August, further increase in these figures is unlikely.

According to data from the State Agriculture Department, the five-year average Kharif area (2019-20 to 2023-24) stands at 1.44 crore hectares. The 1.36 crore hectares sown this year is lower than last year’s coverage of 1.42 crore hectares recorded by August 29. While overall coverage reached 95 per cent, the district-wise performance remains uneven, ranging from over 100 per cent in some regions to barely 70-80 per cent in others.

The monsoon season got off to a slow start with a dry June. Sowing picked up pace following satisfactory rains in early July, but a largely dry August halted further progress. The dry spell in August severely impacted Marathwada, where crops are beginning to wither due to water scarcity. Farmers fear widespread crop loss if rain does not resume within a week.

According to the agriculture department data, Pune division led the state, achieving 101 per cent of its average sowing area with 12.66 lakh hectares covered. Within the division, Solapur reached 104 per cent, Pune recorded 100 per cent, and Ahilyanagar touched 99 per cent.

Nashik division achieved 98 per cent coverage across 19.85 lakh hectares, led by Nashik district at 101 per cent, followed by Dhule (98 per cent), Jalgaon (97per cent), and Nandurbar (90 per cent).

In the Vidarbha region, Amravati division completed 94 per cent of its target (29.83 lakh hectares), with Yavatmal (93 per cent) and Washim (93 per cent) registering steady numbers. In the Nagpur division (overall 94 per cent), Gondia district crossed its average to hit 113 per cent, whereas Chandrapur lagged at 88 per cent, and Nagpur and Bhandara recorded 90 per cent each.

Sowing reached 93 per cent in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division (with Jalna at 90 per cent) and 94 per cent in Latur division. Within Latur, Nanded reached 97 per cent, while Hingoli lagged significantly at 81 per cent.

Western Maharashtra saw an average of 93 per cent across 6.72 lakh hectares. Satara performed well at 99 per cent, but Sangli (89 per cent) and Kolhapur (87 per cent) recorded notable shortfalls.

The coastal Konkan region recorded the lowest sowing turnout in the state at just 83 per cent (3.23 lakh hectares). Raigad was the worst affected at 67 per cent, followed by Ratnagiri (71 per cent) and Sindhudurg (84 per cent). Thane and Palghar performed better, both reaching 96 per cent.

The department has listed key districts with higher sowing, including Gondia: 113 per cent, Solapur: 104 per cent, Nashik: 101 per cent, Pune: 100 per cent, Nanded: 97 per cent, Sangli: 89 per cent, Kolhapur: 87 per cent, Hingoli: 81 per cent and Raigad: 67 per cent.

Meanwhile, the weekly cabinet to be chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday will review sowing operations, water levels in over 3,000 irrigation reservoirs, emerging drought-like situation in Marathwada and relief measures, including availability of fodder for animals.

Patna, Sep 1: Sanjeev Mukhiya, whose name surfaced prominently in connection with the Patna NEET-UG question paper leak case in 2024, has received relief from a special court, which ordered his release from judicial custody after the CBI did not file a chargesheet against him.

The order was passed during a hearing on Monday evening, when Mukhiya appeared before the court through video conferencing.

The court directed his release after considering the status of the CBI investigation and the absence of a chargesheet against him.

However, he will stay in jail in another case.

Mukhiya had come under the scrutiny of investigating agencies after his alleged links to the NEET-UG paper leak surfaced.

The CBI had interrogated him and examined his possible role in the network allegedly involved in the leakage and distribution of the question paper.

However, during the course of its investigation, the agency did not file a charge sheet against Mukhiya.

The absence of sufficient evidence to proceed against him was taken into consideration during the court proceedings.

The CBI has investigated the roles of several accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case and, according to reports, has filed charge sheets against 45 accused persons.

The agency examined the alleged chain of events from the leakage of the question paper to its distribution among candidates.

The NEET-UG paper leak case came to light in 2024, following which the Bihar Police initially investigated the matter.

The Central government subsequently handed over the investigation to the CBI.

The CBI registered its own case on June 23, 2024, as RC-224/2024. A separate case had earlier been registered by the Bihar Police at Shastri Nagar police station in Patna as Case No. 358/2024.

After taking over the probe, the CBI questioned several suspects, examined documents and investigated the alleged network involved in the paper leak and the subsequent distribution of the question paper.

Sanjeev Mukhiya’s name emerged during the investigation, leading the agency to examine his alleged role.

He was questioned and subjected to remand proceedings, prompting speculation that he could eventually be chargesheeted.

However, the CBI ultimately did not file a chargesheet against him.

Based on the current status of the investigation, the special court has now ordered his release from judicial custody after the required bail bonds were furnished.

The court’s order provides Mukhiya relief from continued judicial custody in this case.

However, the order should not be interpreted as a judicial finding that all allegations surrounding the broader NEET-UG paper leak case have been disproved.

Dehradun, Sep 1: Incessant rainfall across Uttarakhand has disrupted normal life, with rising water levels in rivers and drains, landslides and traffic disruptions reported from several parts of the hill state.

The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in most parts of Uttarakhand on Tuesday. An Orange Alert has been issued for Dehradun and Tehri districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital and Haridwar.

Meanwhile, three members of a family were killed after their house collapsed in Vaduyya village in Almora district amid incessant rainfall. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when the family members were sleeping inside the house.

The structure suddenly collapsed under the impact of the continuous rain. Hearing a loud noise followed by screams, villagers rushed towards the site and immediately informed the police and local administration about the incident.

Soon after receiving the information, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, revenue department, fire services and disaster management authorities reached the spot. A rescue operation was launched with the assistance of local villagers.

After considerable effort and amid heavy debris, the rescue teams managed to pull the three victims out of the collapsed structure. However, by the time they were rescued, all three had already died.

Heavy rainfall in Almora over the past two days has already affected normal life in several areas. Roads have been disrupted at multiple locations, while the threat of landslides continues to remain high across the hilly regions.

In Dehradun, the water level of the Rispana River rose near the bridge on Mohini Road in Dalanwala at around 1 a.m. The strong current and rapidly rising water level triggered concern among residents living in nearby areas.

Police teams have been carrying out regular patrols in locations considered vulnerable to flooding and are keeping a close watch on rivers, drains and other water bodies. Officials are also monitoring developments closely in view of the forecast for continued rainfall.

The persistent rain also triggered landslides along the Mussoorie-Dehradun route on Monday. Traffic movement was disrupted near Pani Wala Bend after debris, stones and trees fell onto the road, blocking the route.

The road was subsequently cleared by the authorities and reopened for traffic. Another landslide was reported near Galogi Dhar, where debris again spilt onto the roadway and affected vehicular movement.

In view of the prevailing weather conditions, all schools from Classes 1 to 12, along with Anganwadi centres, in Dehradun and Pithoragarh have been closed on September 1 as a precautionary measure.

In Uttarkashi, the Yamunotri Highway was completely blocked near Ranachatti after debris and trees fell from the hillside. A team from the National Highways authorities reached the location and undertook clearance work. Traffic was restored after the debris was removed from the highway.

A landslide was also reported in Bageshwar, where debris blocked the Garud-Bageshwar route near Rawaikhal, disrupting traffic movement in the area. Authorities have been working to clear affected roads and restore connectivity wherever possible.