As the scorching summer sun beats down and the monsoon remains weeks away, the arid region of Marathwada finds itself in the grip of a water crisis. Live water storage levels in the region’s dams have plummeted to a worrying 9.6% of capacity, a stark contrast to last year’s 39% at the same time. With more than half of the state reeling from the effects of last year’s drought declaration, the situation has become critical as the specter of drinking water shortages looms large.
In response to this pressing issue, the state government has made an appeal to the state’s chief electoral officer, seeking relaxation in the model code of conduct. The aim is to facilitate administrative efforts geared towards managing unseasonal rain and other calamities effectively.
Dams at Dead Storage Levels
The gravity of the water crisis is underscored by the fact that over 25 dams have reached dead storage levels. This means that water levels have dropped below the height of the dam gates, effectively translating to 0.00% storage. Notable examples include the Kalisarar project in Gondia and Khadakpurna in Buldhana, both in the Vidarbha region. Additionally, several dams in Marathwada, including six in Dharashiv and four in Latur, have also hit dead storage levels.
Regional Water Storage Status
In Western Maharashtra, live water storage stands at 17.7% of capacity, down from 20.5% last year, while North Maharashtra is at 26%, compared to 42% last year. Statewide, the total live storage in dams has dwindled to 23.8%, a significant drop from the 34% recorded during the same period last year.
Water Scarcity and Relief Efforts
The dire situation has left 10,572 villages and hamlets grappling with acute water scarcity, relying on tanker supplies for drinking water. Out of the 3,658 tankers deployed across the state, the highest number, amounting to 1,812, are servicing Marathwada alone. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district stands out with 698 tankers deployed to address the water crisis.
Awaiting Election Commission’s Response
With the onset of the Lok Sabha elections, the model code of conduct came into effect. However, the state government’s request for relaxation awaits a response from the Election Commission. An official from the state electoral office has indicated that they are awaiting further directives from the Commission.
