8 per cent rise in water stock in Maharashtra dams

Mumbai: With Maharashtra receiving good amount of rainfall last week, there has been an eight per cent rise in water stock in dams in just four days. Nevertheless, the water stock is still 20 per cent less when compared to the same period last year.

The water stock in dams has gone up from 26.87 per cent on July 25 to 35.2 per cent (as of July 29), a rise of 8.33 per cent. The water stock in dams on July 29 last year had stood at 55.03 per cent. Except Konkan (84.32 per cent) and Pune (53.99 per cent), the other four revenue divisions in Maharashtra have low water stock, an official from the state water resources department said.

Aurangabad division has recorded only 0.31 per cent of water stock in its dams since the past four days. But due to heavy rainfall in Pune and Nashik, these revenue divisions have shown rise of 13.84 per cent and 8.9 per cent respectively in the last four days. Nagpur and Amravati divisions have reported dam water stock of 8.96 per cent, and 9.05 per cent respectively.

Nashik and Pune divisions, which cover north and south-central Maharashtra, are known for cultivating cash crops like sugarcane, onion, soybean, and cotton. Thus, rainfall in these divisions are crucial for the state’s economy.

Neverthless, the Marathwada region, which has been reeling under drought since many years, continues to await for good rains.