As a result of delayed monsoon, the usable water stock across all dams in Maharashtra has gone down to19 per cent compared to 22 per cent in 2013.
According to officials, it could lead to water cuts in cities like Mumbai. The Mumbai municipality is mulling over the option of around 15 to 20 per cent water cuts from next week.
“It hasn’t rained as expected in June. While we have enough water in our dams, we need to be ready for the worst of the situations. Decision on water cuts will be taken soon,” a senior official from the municipality told The Hindu .
As the possibility of water scarcity looms large over Maharashtra due to delayed monsoon and declining water levels in the dams, the state government has asked the district administrations to tackle the issue with the highest priority.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Friday held a video-conference with the collectors of 20 districts to take hold of the situation. “Providing drinking water will be the highest priority. Each district will be provided with adequate funds for water related schemes, as per their needs,” Mr. Chavan informed the collectors during the meeting.
Mr. Chavan has also asked the district administrations to submit the contingency plan to tackle the situation arising due to delayed monsoon. He said that, this is the third consecutive drought-like year in the state. “According to the meteorological department, the monsoon is likely to be delayed till the first week of July. If need be, more water tankers will be required in near future. The government officers should be ready for it,” he said.
As per the government data, a total of 4117 tankers have already been provided to tackle the water scarcity in 18 cities from Marathwada region, North and Western Maharashtra.
