Dharashiv irrigation projects hold just 6.44% water; MLA urges people to conserve for next 10 months
Useful storage in Dharashiv's irrigation projects stood at 6.44% on October 11, and MLA Ranajagjitsinha Patil has asked citizens to use water sparingly.
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Even as the monsoon draws to a close, the threat of water scarcity is deepening in Dharashiv district. Temperatures are rising, evaporation is fast and the groundwater level is falling, making a major shortage of water likely in the coming summer.
Irrigation projects in the district had only 6.44 per cent useful water storage left on October 11. This water will have to last the next 10 months. In view of the grave situation, MLA Ranajagjitsinha Patil has appealed to citizens to use water with the utmost economy.
The total useful storage capacity of the district's irrigation projects is about 725 million cubic metres (MCM). On September 1, the projects held 59.6 MCM. In just 41 days, up to October 11, this fell by 12.85 MCM, and storage is now only 46.75 MCM, or 6.44 per cent. Storage is thus declining rapidly.
The district's maximum temperature in October is normally 30 to 31 degrees Celsius. This year it has reached 34 to 35 degrees, so water is evaporating fast.
The groundwater situation is also worrying. On September 1, the fall in the district's groundwater level was 6 metres. In the first week of October it went down to 8.66 metres, that is, the groundwater level has dropped by as much as 8.66 metres. MLA Patil expressed fear that this would badly affect the availability of water in wells and borewells.
Severe water scarcity hit the district earlier in 2015, he said. Storage then fell to 12 MCM and the administration had to run 468 tankers. Planning has begun now so that such a situation does not recur, he said.
Nodal officers have been appointed in every village to face the possible crisis. He also said priority is being given to drinking water planning, fodder and water for livestock, and providing employment in rural areas.
MLA Ranajagjitsinha Patil said, "Tackling water scarcity is not only the government's responsibility but the duty of every citizen. Keeping politics aside, all parties should work together with collective responsibility, and citizens should avoid wasting water."
