Water level in Marathwada dams at historic low of 3%

Priyanka Kakodkar | TNN | Apr 19, 2016, 06.54 AM IST

MUMBAI: There is only 3% water left in the dams in drought-hit Marathwada–the lowest-ever water level in this historically arid region. As many as eight of the region’s 11 major dams are at dead storage level. This means that water from the dams cannot flow out but has to be lifted. Last year at this time, the water level in Marathwada’s dams was much higher at 11%.

“This is the lowest water storage in Marathwada’s history but we have sufficient water to last till the monsoon. Dead storage water can be used but has to be pulled out,” said Aurangabad divisional commissioner Umakant Dangat. “We also have ground water reserves,” he added.

This is the fourth year of drought in Marathwada in the past five years.Each of its 8,522 villages has been affected for two consecutive years.

The state government says it has already instructed local officials to prioritize drinking water. “We have already cut water supply to industry . The col lectors and divisional commissioner know that the use of water for drinking is the top priority,” said state water resources minister Girish Mahajan. As many as 2,745 water tankers are being used in the region compared to 939 at this time last year. The government has been sen ding water by train to Latur which faces a severe drinking water crisis. It has also announced a 20% water cut to local breweries and a 10% overall cut to local industry. “Most sugar factories have finished operations so we have not had to cut water supply for them,” said Mahajan.

Rainfall across the state has been deficient since 2014. The result is that water levels in dams across the state have dipped dramatically .