Maharashtra’s dams running dry, set to aggravate drought scenario

The drought situation in Maharashtra has been further aggravated with no water in at least 20 major dams in the state, the latest statistics released by the state government’s water resources department reveals.

Even as the arrival of the monsoon is at least one-and-a-half month away, 20 major dams in the state such as Jayakwadi in Aurangabad district, Manjra in Beed district and Bhima-Ujani in Solapur district have gone dry. The water resources department, Mumbai, has said that these dams have zero stock of water as of date and barely 20.09% water stock is available in all the major, medium and minor irrigation projects in the state.

Vijaykumar Phad, deputy commissioner (revenue), divisional commissionerate, Aurangabad said, “We have taken every possible measure to save available water till June end. Each district administrations in our division has been asked to tap newer water sources. As of now we have around 2,400 water tankers plying and if necessary, we will increase it. We have given authority to provide water tankers as per demand.”

As against 784 water tankers deployed for supply of drinking water in April 2018 in drought-affected areas, the number presently is 4,594 water tankers across Maharashtra, the department has said on its website https://wsso.in/22042019.pdf, in its latest update.

Of these 4,594 water tankers, 2,470 are operational in Marathwada and 1,124 in Nashik division.

The worst-affected districts include Aurangabad, Beed, Osmanabad, Hingoli and Parbhani.

Marathwada, which is the worst affected, has just 5.28% live water available as against 30.67% live water stock on April 25, 2018. Other districts followed by Aurangabad are Nagpur (11.09% water stock), Nashik (18.87%), Pune and Amravati (24.39 %).

Water is being provided to Latur, Parbhani and Osmanabad through tankers and small irrigation projects.

In Aurangabad and Jalna district officials have been asked to identify new water filling stations to be brought under the control of the district administration.