48% and depleting: State faces water stock worry

Things are likely to get worse on the waterfront in Maharashtra, with the stock in dams depleting to 48%.

While the 84 major dams in the state together have 43 per cent of water, 224 medium-sized projects and 2,144 small-sized ones have 49 per cent and 35 per cent stock — a sign the number of villages facing water scarcity is likely to increase from 6,250.

The worst-affected regions are in Marathwada where the stock in 803 projects (11 major, 75 medium and 717 minor) is only 17 per cent.

These include Jayakwadi (7% stock), Purna Yeldari (3%), Majalgaon (dry), Manjra (dry), Nimna Vaitarna (dry) and Nimna Dudhna (dry). The Manikdoh and Ghod dams in Pune are also low on stock at 19% and 6%.

Principal secretary (relief and rehabilitation) Milind Mhaiskar said 90 tankers were making multiple trips in a day in regions worst affected.

"The state is facing the worst drought-like situation since 1972," he said.

Water levels, especially in Western Maharashtra, North Maharashtra and Marathwada, are very low. The government has already spent Rs 180.61 crore on animal camps this year, the second successive year of drought in the state.

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