Pune: Water Scarcity Looms Large as Maharashtra’s Dams Record 21% Decrease in Water Storage; Pune Division’s Dams Experience 17% Dip

Pune, 7th December 2023: In a concerning development, the state of Maharashtra is grappling with a water crisis as this year’s rainfall fell significantly below average, resulting in a mere 66 per cent water storage in dams across all six divisions. This marks a substantial 21 per cent decrease compared to the previous year, raising alarms about potential severe water scarcity in several districts.

The 2,595 small and large dams under the jurisdiction of the state’s Water Resources Department play a pivotal role in sustaining agriculture, business, and industry. However, the adverse effects of El Niño on the monsoon have led to insufficient rainfall, preventing the dams from reaching their maximum capacity. Consequently, regions such as Konkan, Vidarbha, Middle Maharashtra, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra are already facing water scarcity, with potential ramifications extending into the summer.

Regional Breakdown of Dam Storage:

1. Nagpur Division:

– 2023: 71.78%

– 2022: 79.49%

2. Amravati Division:

– 2023: 75.62%

– 2022: 91.52%

3. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division:

– 2023: 37.63%

– 2022: 87.31%

4. Nashik Division:

– 2023: 70.61%

– 2022: 89.89%

5. Pune Division:

– 2023: 70.39%

– 2022: 88.08%

6. Konkan Division:

– 2023: 82.63%

– 2022: 83.15%

The cumulative water storage for Maharashtra’s dams stands at a worrisome 66.31 per cent in 2023, in stark contrast to the more favourable 87.10 per cent recorded the previous year. This discrepancy underscores the severity of the water crisis looming over the state and raises concerns about the ability of these vital water sources to meet the needs of various sectors in the coming months.