10 dams leak thousands of litres daily as drought grips Ratnagiri district

Drought conditions have set in across Ratnagiri district, causing widespread concern. Amid this, it has come to light that 10 important dams under the Irrigation Department are leaking. The leaks are wasting thousands of litres of precious water every day, making the situation worse.

Rainfall was poor from the start of this season, and intense heat has speeded up evaporation. Because of these two factors, water levels in all the district's reservoirs were already falling fast. The continuous seepage from the dams has added to this, deepening the water crisis in the district and leaving residents distressed. Saving water and repairing the dams urgently have become the biggest challenge before the administration.

After the end of the monsoon season, the Irrigation Department is currently planning very carefully for the water remaining in the dams. Weighing the needs of agriculture, industry and daily use in the district, the administration has taken the important decision to give drinking water the highest priority. Figures show that the 72 dams in the district together hold an average of about 15 per cent of their capacity at present.

Treating the leaks as a highly sensitive and serious matter given the severity of the drought, the Irrigation Department has begun taking concrete steps towards repairs. Its main aim is to stop at once the large daily loss of water through the leaks. Long-term measures are also being drawn up so that erratic rainfall and a growing population do not lead to shortages later.

Efforts are on at the government level to secure early approval for a Rs 500 crore proposal so that work on the ground can speed up. The local administration has also appealed to residents to avoid wasting water and to use it sparingly. Only if the repairs are completed in time and the leaks are stopped will it be possible to bring Ratnagiri district safely out of the shadow of severe water scarcity.