25 September,2026 02:32 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondent
Marathwada has received 442.4 mm of rainfall against an expected seasonal average of 679.5 mm. File pic
Authorities in Maharashtra's Marathwada region have acquired 512 wells and deployed 246 tankers to provide drinking water to 142 villages and 91 hamlets facing an acute shortage due to deficient rainfall, officials said on Friday.
The eight-district region has received only 442.4 mm of rainfall against its expected seasonal average of 679.5 mm, according to official data. Marathwada comprises Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Nanded, Beed, Dharashiv, Hingoli and Latur.
The below-average rainfall during the monsoon has triggered widespread water scarcity, with several villages becoming dependent on tankers for their drinking water requirements.
To address the shortage, the administration has acquired 512 wells across the region, according to a report from the Divisional Commissioner's office. Of these, 67 wells are being used to fill water tankers, while 350 have been connected directly to village water supply pipelines.
District-wise data shows that Latur has the highest number of acquired wells at 225, followed by Dharashiv with 184.
Beed has 48 acquired wells, while Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has 26, Jalna 24 and Parbhani five. No wells have been acquired so far in Nanded and Hingoli districts.
The administration has also deployed tankers in four districts affected by the water shortage. As of September 21, a total of 246 tankers were operating across Beed, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna and Dharashiv.
Beed has the highest number of tankers at 120, followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with 96. Jalna has 22 tankers in operation, while Dharashiv has eight.
Together, the tankers are currently supplying drinking water to 142 villages and 91 hamlets facing water scarcity.
Official rainfall data available till Thursday showed that Marathwada continued to remain significantly below its seasonal rainfall average. Latur emerged as the worst-affected district, having received only 51 per cent of its expected rainfall.
The rainfall deficit has intensified concerns over drinking water availability in the drought-prone region, prompting authorities to rely on additional wells and tanker supplies to meet the immediate needs of affected communities.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and strengthen drinking water arrangements in villages affected by the prolonged rainfall deficit.
(With inputs from PTI)
