The situation has triggered early drought conditions, affecting over 1,200 villages that now rely on water tankers for their supply
Maharashtra is confronted with an escalating water crisis as a 20% reduction in dam storage becomes glaringly evident due to a stark decline in rainfall this year. The situation has triggered early drought conditions, affecting over 1,200 villages that now rely on water tankers for their supply.
The deficiency in rainfall, especially when compared to the previous year, has exacerbated the impacts of drought, leading the state government to declare drought conditions in multiple regions. Initially identified in 40 talukas, this designation expanded to 954 revenue boards in a recent cabinet sub-committee meeting. A government order on November 10 further widened the scope, encompassing 1,021 revenue circles, adding 67 more affected areas to the list.
Presently, 1,245 villages and settlements in the state depend on water tanker deliveries for drinking water—a stark contrast to the same period last year when no village faced such scarcity. With the conclusion of the monsoon season, water shortages have become pronounced, and projections indicate that the number of affected villages may rise.
Photo Credits: Hindustan Times
In response to the crisis, the state government has initiated various measures, including waiving examination fees for school and college students in drought-affected areas. Additional relief includes discounts in land revenue, a moratorium on agricultural loan recoveries, and a 33.5% reduction in current electricity payments for agricultural pumps. Farmers in declared shortage-hit villages are instructed not to disconnect electricity connections for their agricultural pumps.
The current water storage in 2,994 small, medium, and large dams across the state stands at 70.28%. In comparison, at the same time last year, it was significantly higher at 90.34%. Marathwada, a severely affected region, is witnessing a drastic decline in water storage, plummeting to 37.49% from last year’s 90.09%, marking a staggering 53% decrease. The situation emphasises the urgent need for concerted efforts to address water scarcity and provide support to communities grappling with the impact of drought.
Photo Credit: The Third Pole
Vardhman Envirotech
India’s Passionate rainwater company
This article is published on: Pune Times Mirror, 16 November, 2023
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