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With the storage level in its reservoirs at 75 per cent of the capacity, Maharashtra is on the brink of a water crisis, and the upcoming rabi sowing season is likely to be adversely impacted.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division is currently facing a severe crisis as its dams hold only 40.43 per cent of water against its capacity, down from the 88 per cent recorded at the same time last year.
Storage in Nagpur division stands at 87 per cent, while in Amravati division, the level 84 per cent.
Nashik and Pune divisions storage is 78 and 80 per cent, respectively. The Konkan division is the exception, with the storage being higher compared to last year. Its level is 93 per cent of the capacity.
In response to the growing crisis, the State government has initiated water tanker services in over 300 villages, with plans to increase the number of water tankers in the coming days.
Implications
State Agriculture Department officials are deeply concerned about the impact of water scarcity on rabi crops.
The government’s primary focus is on providing drinking water, and dam water will be reserved for this purpose.
Government data show that rabi crops have been sown on 1,71,923 hectares, which is approximately 3 per cent of the total land dedicated to rabi crops. Kharif production in the State is also expected to decline due to deficient rains in parts of the State.
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