Water crisis in Marathwada worsens

Mumbai: The water crisis in the Marathwada region has worsened, with rapidly depleting water levels in dams. Presently, as many as 2,638 tankers are supplying water to eight districts in Marathwada.

As per data published by the State Water Resources Department a few days ago, dams in this parched region are left with just 5.41 per cent live water storage as compared to 31.34 per cent live storage on the same day last year.

Last week, the number of tankers in Marathwada was 2,534, which means that the number of tankers has increased by 104 to quench the thirst of 40 lakh people. Of the eight districts, Aurangabad, Beed and Jalna districts are the worst hit.

Marathwada has 45 major dams, which have just 2.77 per cent live water storage. Big dams at Paithan, Manjara, Lower Terna, Siddheshwar and Majalgaon have no live water storage. As many as 2,348 villages and hamlets in the region are dependent on water tankers.

Against a normal rainfall of 682.9mm, Marathwada got 534.6mm rainfall betw-een June and September, resulting in depletion of groundwater levels across the region. The region has over 56 lakh livestock, and water and fodder problems are multiplying.

In Aurangabad district, 1,013 tankers are supplying water to 683 villages and 253 hamlets covering a 15.15 lakh population.

In Beed district, 814 tankers are supplying water to 11.39 lakh people in 593 villages and 316 hamlets. A similar situation is being faced by Jalna district, where 458 tankers are supplying water to 8.37 lakh people across 399 villages and 86 hamlets.