Water crisis deepens in Maan taluka as kharif lost, rabi at risk; 30 tankers supply villages

Dahiwadi: Rain held back in Maan taluka this year from the very start of the monsoon. Farmers had pinned their hopes on the returning monsoon, but it too failed them. As a result, the water crisis in the taluka is deepening. Groundwater levels have fallen in many villages, and people have to depend on tankers for drinking water. At present, 30 tankers are delivering water to different villages of the taluka.

Maan taluka has always been considered a drought-prone area. Many villages, including Dahiwadi, Shingnapur, Mhaswad, Mardi, Varkute-Malvadi and Varkute Kukudwad, face water shortages every summer. Rain this year was very scanty and sporadic. With low rainfall and long gaps in between, there is concern that water supply will become a serious problem.

The condition of reservoirs is also poor. The Andhali dam in the taluka has 49 per cent water left, while the Ranand tank has only 0.2 per cent and the Jashi tank 2.53 per cent. Water is falling in tanks and other sources, so fears have been voiced that the shortage will worsen in the coming days. Even where tanks hold water, planning supply in view of its use, the remaining stock and rising demand is a big challenge for the administration.

Fodder crisis along with water shortage

Along with the water shortage, the question of fodder for livestock is also becoming serious. If the availability of green fodder falls because of the lack of rain, livestock keepers will face difficulties. The administration therefore needs to take measures on both water and fodder in time.

Manganga flowed through Urmodi and Jihe-Kathapur schemes

Because of very low rain this year, the Manganga river did not flow on its own. To make the river flow and in view of the water shortage, water from the Jihe-Kathapur scheme was released from the Andhali dam into the Manganga. Water coming through the Urmodi scheme canal was released into the Manganga via Lodhavade, Kalewadi, Gondavale Budruk, Gondavale Khurd and Pimpri, and the river began to flow. This had resolved the problem of irrigation and drinking water in the area along the Manganga. Now this water released into the river is about to run out. The Kolhapur-type bandharas and the cement chain of check dams built on the river have begun to dry up.