Pune: Water in reservoirs in the State is not enough. In the State, there is 61.96 per cent water stock in total 3,266 reservoirs in the month of October, which is low compared to last two years’ stock. There was 76.07 per cent and 83.72 per cent water storage in years 2016 and 2017 respectively. Out of five regions of the State, two regions have less than 50 per cent water stock in their reservoirs.
The State government will announce the situation on whether there is a drought after scrutinising data based on field visits of ministers. Meanwhile, data from the Water Resources Department makes it clear that there is water scarcity in many parts of the State.
As per the department, there is less water in reservoirs compared to last two years. In the State, there are a total of 3,266 reservoirs of small, medium and large size. The total capacity of reservoirs is 31,865 Thousand Million Cubic feet (TMC ft) and at present, there is only 61.96 per cent water in these reservoirs. Last year, it was 76.07 per cent. In 2016, it was 83.72 in the month of October.
The statistics of the last five years is available on the website of Maharashtra Water Resources Department. In 2015, there was very less (54 per cent) water in reservoirs and the State government had declared drought in Marathwada and Vidarbha region.
There are six regions in Maharashtra - Amravati, Konkan, Marathwada, Nagpur, Nashik and Pune. The Marathwada region has maximum reservoirs of 965 and has 24.25 per cent water stock. However, there is adequate water stock in Pune region of 81.76 per cent in 726 reservoirs. The Konkan region has 176 reservoirs which has maximum 86.50 per cent of water stock.
Amravati and Nashik regions have more than 50 per cent water stock in their reservoirs. Nagpur region has 40.31 per cent water stock in 384 reservoirs. According to officials, there are 12 districts of Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Nanded, Latur, Osmanabad, Parbhani, Dhule, Nandurbar, Ahmednagar and Jalgaon, which may start facing a shortage of drinking water within days.
