El Nino impact: Maharashtra stops dam water for agricultural irrigation, reserve stocks for drinking till August 31

Amid concerns over deficient rainfall and the possibility of an El Ninodriven monsoon shortfall the Maharashtra government has directed officials to stop the release of dam water for agricultural irrigation and reserve available stocks exclusively for drinking purposes until August 31 reported IANSThe decision was announced by Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil after reviewing rainfall patterns and reservoir storage levels across key river basins in the state The move comes as several regions continue to report belownormal rainfall raising concerns about water availability in the coming months reported IANSReservoir levels significantly lower than last yearAccording to the Water Resources Department Maharashtras reservoirs currently hold 3575 TMC thousand million cubic feet of usable water accounting for only 25 per cent of their total storage capacityOfficials said the water stock is considerably lower than the level recorded during the corresponding period last year The shortfall has been attributed to weak rainfall and lowerthanexpected inflows into major dams across the stateVikhe Patil said the uncertainty surrounding the monsoon has made it necessary to prioritise drinking water supplies over all other uses reported IANSThe expected inflows into reservoirs have not materialised due to deficient rainfall Ensuring drinking water availability for citizens remains the governments top priority the minister saidPune region faces growing water stressThe situation is particularly concerning in the Pune division where reservoir storage levels have declined sharply compared to last yearTo avoid any disruption in urban water supply the state government has directed the Water Resources Department to reserve adequate drinking water for approximately 85 million residents in Pune and PimpriChinchwad until the end of AugustAuthorities have been instructed to continuously monitor storage levels and ensure that water meant for domestic consumption is protected from depletion during the ongoing monsoon uncertainty reported IANSNashik and Marathwada among worstaffected regionsSeveral other parts of Maharashtra are also witnessing increasing water stress due to deficient rainfallAccording to official data reservoirs in the Nashik division are currently operating at around 26 per cent usable storage capacity while the Marathwada division has about 28 per cent usable water reservesOfficials noted that both regions along with Ahilyanagar district have received significantly belownormal rainfall this season increasing concerns about water availability if monsoon conditions do not improve reported IANSThe government plans to conduct a detailed review of reservoirs managed by the Marathwada and Krishna Valley development corporations to determine precise drinking water allocations based on local population requirementsDistrictspecific contingency plans to be preparedTo address the evolving situation the state government has decided to prepare separate action plans for every districtThe proposed plans will focus on ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply in urban and rural areas implementing droughtmitigation measures protecting natural water sources and promoting responsible water usage among citizensOfficials said decentralised planning would help local administrations respond more effectively to regionspecific challenges arising from water scarcityCrackdown on illegal water extraction orderedThe state government has also announced strict enforcement measures against unauthorised water extraction from reservoirs canals rivers and lakesJoint teams comprising officials from the Revenue Department Police Department and Water Resources Department will conduct regular inspections and surprise raids across the state Authorities have been empowered to seize illegal pumps pipelines and other equipment used for unauthorised water withdrawal reported IANSIn addition districtlevel teams have been directed to submit weekly reports detailing enforcement actions and measures taken to prevent water theftThe government said all departments municipal corporations and local water supply agencies must work in close coordination to manage available reserves until substantial rainfall replenishes reservoir levels With monsoon performance remaining uncertain officials have emphasised the need for strict conservation measures and careful management of every available water resourceWith inputs from IANS