Nagpur faces water crisis as Totladoh, Kanhan hold under half last year's stock; 10% cut likely

A crisis is looming over Nagpur's water supply as levels keep falling in the Totladoh and Kanhan reservoirs. There is fear that the water shortage in the city will worsen in the coming days. After the state government directed a 10 per cent cut in water allocation, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation has begun preparations. However, a final decision is still to be taken on when the cut will come into force and to what extent.

Both reservoirs hold less than half the water they did last year. Nagpur district received only 64 per cent of the average rainfall this monsoon. Low rainfall and the effect of El Nino have increased the strain on reservoirs across the state.

In this situation, the government has said that drinking water should get the highest priority when available water is allocated. It has also directed that 10 per cent of the total water be set aside for emergency needs.

Nagpur gets about 740 MLD of raw water every day from the Totladoh and Kanhan sources. But nearly 259 MLD of this is lost daily as non-revenue water, meaning no income is earned from it. Pipeline leakage, water theft, illegal tap connections and lack of billing are cited as the main reasons for the loss.

If a 10 per cent cut is imposed in the city, the daily supply will fall by about 74 MLD. This could affect the water that citizens receive. In such a situation, options such as supplying water on alternate days or at low pressure could be used.

The municipal corporation claims that 50 MLD of water is being saved every day through pipeline repairs and the work of regularising illegal connections. However, the reservoirs hold less than half of last year's water and 259 MLD is being lost daily. Considering both, this saving is not seen as sufficient.

According to sources, a decision could be taken after a review meeting to be chaired by Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. For now, discussions are under way at the administrative level on how to implement the Water Resources Department's directions.

Mayor Nita Thakre said the government's directions on a water cut have been received. Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule will review the situation on Saturday. She said a decision on a cut has become necessary, but a detailed study is under way to decide its exact extent.