AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

FLOODS

The district has suffered much from over-abundance of rains and floods. The swelling waters of the Tapi and Girna were responsible for destruction of life and property, at times considerable, particularly in the areas lying on the lower banks of these rivers. Sometimes, villages were entirely swept away. The oldest of floods, of which details are available, occurred in 1872.

1872.

On Sunday the 15th September 1872, the Girna was heavily  Hooded and the bordering regions were worst hit. Rains began about midnight of the 13th (Friday) and continued till eleven at night of the 14th, when a violent, hurricane set in. At about eleven in the morning of the 15th, the river began to overflow and the flood increased till about half past nine that night; the water was ten feet higher than it had ever been known to rise. Nearly 114 villages on the banks were damaged; forty of them were in Pachora: thirty-six in Frandol: twenty-six in Chalisgaon and twelve in Amalner. A vast amount of property both moveable and immoveable was lost. Numbers of dams, banddharas. water channels, puts, and several large ponds, watering thousands of fields were either completely destroyed or damaged. Damage to soil, trees, crops, public works and private property was considerable. Several families were left destitute. For the first few days, they were supported by private charity. As reports of distress began to come in from different parts of the then Khandesh district, a relief fund committee was formed. Large sums were collected from private subscription for distribution among the destitute and needy families. Government also gave advances, tagai and cash doles to alleviate the distress.

On the 5th September 1876. the Girna overflowed by swelling backwaters from a heavy flood in the Tapi. Crops were considerably damaged.

1876 1930.

The rivers Bahula. Utavali. Hivra, Indragad, Tirur and Gadad were in high floods in September and affected twenty-two villages in Pachora Taluka. Eighty houses were buried in mud and kachha constructions collapsed, causing a damage of Rs. 3,364. No general remission or suspension was granted but land revenue amounting to Rs. 532 was remitted, and that of Rs. 26 suspended in individual cases.

1944.

Owing to continuous rainfall from the 16th August to the 22nd August, the Girna rose in high flood in Chalisgaon Taluka and Rhadgaon Peta. In Chalisgaon, three villages were affected. Fifty-eight kachha houses collapsed with no loss of human life. The damage was estimated at Rs. 7,000. The damage, owing to the washing away of 26 fields in the low levels, was estimated at Rs. 28,380. In Bhadgaon, the damage was estimated at Rs. 3,000.

1946.

Owing to heavy rains in Bhadgaon taluka on 10th September, 1946 the Girna was flooded, causing an estimated damage of Rs. 1,160. Crops from some fields of nine villages were washed away. Relief to the extent of Rs. 300 was given.

1947.

There was heavy rain (2.45 inches) on the 28th September 1947 and the Girna was again flooded. Twenty kachha houses were washed away, though no human life was lost. A ferry plying at Bhadgaon suddenly overturned and caused death of four persons. The damage was estimated at Rs. 525. Relief of Rs. 610 was granted.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Till 1951, there was no agricultural school in the district. The facilities at the Dhulia Agricultural School were being availed of by the students of this district. During the First Plan period (1951-52 to 1955-56), an agricultural-cum-commercial school was established in Jalgaon to cater, to a certain extent, to the needs of the district. The school has been opened with the intention of giving training to the young generation of farmers so that they can go back to their lands after completing the course and spread the gospel of improved agriculture among their neighbours. The district's needs have still to be supplemented by the Dhulia Agricultural School. The course of study at this school is spread oxer two years and includes training in agriculture, animal husbandry, dairying, horticulture, co-operation, agrarian legislation, ect. For this purpose, an agricultural farm, premium bulls of Khillar and Dangi breeds, a dairy unit, a poultry and sheep farm, a library and an exhibition of model charts, improved tools and equipment, etc. have been provided at the school. All the work on the farm and at the garden attached to the school is attended to by the students.

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