Pench storage falls to 47.85%, NMC seeks 190 MCM water reserved for Nagpur

Nagpur's water question is now out in the open. Storage in the Pench reservoir system has dropped to 47.85%. In view of this, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has sought the reservation of 190 million cubic metres (MCM) of water to meet the city's drinking water needs.

The reservoir level remains below half of its designed live storage capacity. NMC's demand for 190 MCM shows how essential it has become to secure enough water for Nagpur. Drinking water demand remains the first priority, so the challenge before officials is to manage the stock that is available while balancing other needs.

The falling storage has also affected farming. A preliminary assessment by the Water Resources Department says irrigation for the 2026-27 rabi season may not be possible in the dam's command area. This is only a preliminary assessment, not a final decision.

If rabi irrigation cannot be provided, farmers who depend on the reservoir's water for their winter crop could face difficulty. How the available water is divided between the city's drinking needs and agriculture will be decided by the final allocation decisions.

Nagpur is now heading into the dry months, which makes careful use of water necessary. Cutting wastage, repairing leaks and using water wisely will help the city make do with its resources.

The coming weeks will be crucial, as they will decide how officials manage the Pench stock and safeguard Nagpur's drinking water supply.