Reservoirs left with less than 15 per cent water

Mumbai: The state stares at water crisis as the stock in its major reservoirs have further depleted. The data by Central Water Commission (CWC) as of June 13 shows that Maharashtra and Gujarat have only 10 per cent of water left in its major reservoirs as compared to its live capacity. Moreover, 10 of the state's major dams have water stock at just 0 or 1 per cent of its capacity.

The situation of water stock for other dams also appears grim as the remaining reservoirs too have less than 15 per cent of water left in them except Khadakvasala and Bhatsa. The data stated that at present the total water storage available in 27 reservoirs of Maharashtra and Gujarat is 3.11 BCM (billion cubic meters) against the capacity of 31.26 BCM. “The storage during corresponding period of last year was 13% and average storage of last ten years during corresponding period was 17% of live storage capacity of these reservoirs,” read the CWC report.

While Khadakvasala and Bhatsa dam recorded 32 per cent and 26 per cent of water left, other reservoirs recorded water stock significantly less including Upper Wardha (13 per cent), Upper Vaitarna (11 per cent), Koyana and Girna (8 per cent), Mula (3 per cent).

Meanwhile none of these reservoirs recorded water stock above 30 per cent of its ten years average. Officials have attributed the water scarcity in the reservoirs to inadequate rainfall in 2018.

“This year the state also faced deficiency of pre-monsoon rainfall, which has added to the woes due less rainfall last year. It is also due to this that many villages could not see the good results from Jal Yukta Shivar, as there was no rainfall to store water," said an official. He added that an arrangement of more than 7,000 water tanks has been requested for this week.