Further decline in live water storage in state: CWC

Mumbai: There is no end in sight to Maharashtra's water woes, with the Central Water Commission (CWC) stating a further decline in live water storage for the western region. Around 27 reservoirs in Maharashtra and Gujarat are showing 24 per cent water storage levels which may further deteriorate the drought situation in the state.

The CWC report on March 14 stated that live storage in all these reservoirs was 7.40 BCM. The Maharashtra state has already declared drought in as many as 151 districts. The decline in water storage is 14 per cent less than the average of the last ten years, which stands at 38 per cent. Even during 2018, the water level was recorded at 36 per cent of the storage capacity, which was higher than the present status.

“Due to lesser rainfall in 2018, the water levels in the reservoirs have been hit. However, the government is taking adequate steps to cope up with this by supplying sufficient water and fodder supplies in drought-hit areas. We have already started plying water tankers in districts like Aurangabad, Marathwada and Beed among others,” said an official with the water resources department of Maharashtra.

According to officials, around 1,500 water tanks are being used in different regions of Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the water level in seven reservoirs of Mumbai is relatively better, said the official. “Mumbai is currently having at least 40 per cent of water in its reservoirs. This is no cause for worry as water can easily last till this year,” he added.

Overall, the water in all 91 reservoirs of the country is at 35 per cent of its storage capacity. Apart from Maharashtra and Gujarat, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and West Bengal too are witnessing water levels lesser than the average of the past ten years.