Wardha river level drops, Chandrapur industries face water crisis

Chandrapur district received very little rain this year, causing a water shortage. The shortage first hit agriculture and is now likely to affect the industrial sector too. A dark cloud of water crisis hangs over many large industries in the district that depend on the Wardha river. With the flow in the river reduced, there is fear that industrial production will be affected in the coming period.

The Wardha river is considered an important source of water for the industrial areas, coal mines and farming in Chandrapur district. The water needs of many industries in Chandrapur, Tadali, Ghugus, Warora and Ballarpur, as well as in the MIDC area of Chandrapur city, depend on this river. Industries in all these areas are looking anxiously to the river's water.

To plan the water use before the crisis deepens, meetings have begun among the district administration, the MIDC administration, the managements of various industries and industrial associations. Industries are being told to use water sparingly. The emphasis is on careful use of the water stock available. Even so, the possibility of a serious impact on industrial production cannot be ruled out if the water in the river falls further.

Keeping in mind the rising water need and falling availability in the industrial area, the MIDC administration has begun measures to save water. Instructions to use water sparingly are also being given in industrial areas. Besides this, an option of shutting off the water supply to all the industries concerned completely for one day a week from November is also under consideration.

Meanwhile, a proposal to build a barrage on the Wardha river in the Dhanora area has been pending for many years. Had the barrage been built, the industrial area would have got water and the drinking water problem of Chandrapur city would also have been eased to some extent. But as the proposal has not materialised, the question of water storage and planning remains unresolved.

The Wardha river was in flood this year. But as there is no barrage to hold the water, a large quantity of flood water flowed downstream. It joined the Godavari river through the flow of the Wainganga and Pranhita rivers. Discussion has now begun again that had this monsoon water been stored, it would have been useful in summer and in times of scarcity.