Nashik city and district are facing a severe water shortage and, as no water will be released from Gangapur dam till the monsoon starts, water from bore wells will be pumped into the holy Ramkund in the Godavari River for devotees. Gangapur reservoir has only 30 per cent or 1,702 MCFt water stock remaining. The situation is similar in other dams with four reservoirs reporting dry.
“The agriculture situation is very bad and the onion-grape belt of Niphad and Lasalgaon, which depends upon Gangapur Dam water, will be severely affected,” stated Chandwad APMC chairman Dr Atmaram Kumbharde. He also hinted that if the present onion crop fails, there could be a shortage in the next season.
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is also contemplating a two-day water cut every week to extend the present water supply till July 31.
Already a one-day water cut has been implemented since February in addition to the 15 per cent water cut implemented earlier. A water cut became imminent after water was released to Jayakwadi reservoir in Aurangabad district from Gangapur reservoir last year.
Deputy mayor Gurmeet Singh Bagga on Sunday stated: “had the BJP listened to our technical suggestion then, the water cut would have been lesser – once every 10 days.”
NMC superintending engineer U.B. Pawar told The Asian Age that, earlier the NMC was releasing about 14 to 14.5 MCFt per day or about 410 MLD. “Now we are releasing about 10 MCFt per day or about 290 MLD, which saves an average of 4 MCFt per day. If the monsoon failed by July 31, Mr Pawar said that they would acquire all wells and borewells in the city and give water and added that NMC had taken a very stern view of water wastage and was penalising water wasters.
Two days ago, unseasonal rains struck parts of the district causing damage in from Niphad, Sinnar, Chandwad and Deola, Baglan and Yeola tehsils. Nashik Thermal Power Station has 300 MCFt water reserved in Gangapur. This water along with the dead stock in the reservoir too will be made available for Nashik city.
Two weeks ago, four farmers from the perennially drought-prone Sinnar tehsil of Nashik committed suicide within a fortnight, showing they were under tension over their inability to pay off loans. All the deceased had taken loans and could not pay them back due to the drought.
