Do you have a contingency plan for rainfall defecit? HC asks Maharashtra govt

The Bombay high court (HC) on Thursday asked the water resources regulatory authority if a contingency plan has been prepared to meet the possibility of a drought-like situation in Solapur.

The Bombay high court (HC) on Thursday asked the water resources regulatory authority if a contingency plan has been prepared to meet the possibility of a drought-like situation in Solapur.

A division bench of justice VM Kanade and justice Dr Shalini Phansalkar-Joshi was hearing a petition by Siddheshwar Warade, a farmer, urging for direction to release water for irrigation in Mohol and Mangalwedha talukas of Solapur from the Ujani dam.

Advocate Mahadeo Choudhary, appearing for Warade, said even if one rotation of water is released, it will save the standing crops and also mitigate the problem of drinking water in Solapur. The advocate, representing the dam authorities, said the water has almost reached the zero level and even if the floodgates are opened, water cannot be released.

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The court asked: What if there is (another) drought tomorrow? What steps will the government take if there is such a disaster?

The court observed there has been a steady decline of rain water since three years. It added that the Water Resources Regulatory Authority will have to apply its mind and plan in advance to avert a difficult situation.

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