Sangli faces drought-like conditions as 54 revenue circles go 21 days without rain

With the rainy season nearing its end, Sangli district is facing a deepening water shortage and the shadow of drought. Collector Manak Ghosh said the district received only 80 percent of average rainfall between June 1 and September 15 this year. Of the district's 69 revenue circles, 54 saw a gap of more than 21 days without rain, meeting the criterion for drought, leaving the district in a drought-like condition.

Notably, the district received 113 percent of average rainfall in June and July, so the criterion of less than 50 percent rainfall does not apply for that period. But the long dry spell that followed made the situation serious. The final drought status will be decided based on complete rainfall data from June 8 to September 30, the condition of crops and satellite imagery.

Meanwhile, given the growing pressure on water availability in the district, the administration has banned lifting water from all lakes. From Monday, September 21, a ban on lifting water will also apply to the Krishna and Warna rivers. The collector said saving drinking water is the administration's top priority, and warned of action against those lifting water for irrigation without permission.

Currently 1,000 cusecs of water is being released into the Krishna river from the Koyna dam, which the administration says is less than the district's requirement of about 2,500 cusecs. Most of the water being received is being sent to the Tembhu lift irrigation scheme to maintain water supply in the Sangola, Khanapur and Kavathemahankal areas. This is causing the water level in the Krishna river to fall and affecting other irrigation schemes on the river. Because only 1,000 cusecs is being received instead of 2,500 from Koyna, the Takari lift irrigation scheme is completely shut, while efforts are being made to supply some areas based on whatever water is available from the Mhaisal scheme.

Given the drought and water shortage, the Sangli administration has asked the state government to release 600 cusecs of water from the Warna dam until October 15. If this water is received, efforts will be made to give relief to water-scarce areas of Jat, Kavathemahankal and Miraj talukas. The drinking water problem is worsening by the day, particularly in the eastern parts of Jat and Kavathemahankal, which have received less rainfall.

A gap of more than 21 days without rain is an important factor among the drought criteria. This criterion has been met in 54 of the district's 69 revenue circles, including about 75 percent of the revenue circles in Jat taluka, creating a scarcity-like situation there. Tankers have been started wherever there has been demand. The water level in some lakes has fallen below 25 percent, and the water stock in Doddanala lake has nearly reached dead storage. Efforts will be made to fill Doddanala lake once water is received from the Warna dam.

Because of the water shortage, 23 tankers are currently operating in the district, 21 private and 2 government. These tankers are supplying water to 43,687 people across 26 villages and 160 hamlets. The administration is prepared to increase the number of tankers if the shortage worsens. The collector said citizens facing water shortage should raise the matter with their local panchayat samiti.

Different criteria are used to assess conditions before drought is declared. The administration said the criterion of a rainfall gap of more than 21 days is currently clearly evident. Final rainfall figures from June 8 to September 30 will also be checked, and if rainfall during this period is less than 75 percent of average, that criterion will be examined as well.

Collector Manak Ghosh said, "If people are facing a water shortage, they should apply to the concerned panchayat samiti. A panchnama will be done immediately there and a tanker will be started. Guardian minister Chandrakantdada Patil has directed that tankers be started immediately whenever such a demand comes in. The administration is also committed to this. Since there is a ban on lifting water, farmers should cooperate, and Ganesh idols should be immersed in artificial ponds instead of rivers or public water sources."