Marathwada’s reservoirs run dry as water stocks plunge to 42.7%, lowest in state

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Marathwada’s water crisis is deepening fast. Reservoirs across the region now hold just 42.7% of their usable storage capacity, the lowest among Maharashtra’s six divisions and barely half of last year’s level of almost 87%, according to water resources department data.The sharp fall has raised fears about the availability of drinking water in the months ahead, especially as wells, borewells, and smaller water sources dry up across several districts.The situation is most critical in the hundreds of medium and small dams that form the backbone of the region’s water supply network. While Maharashtra’s average usable storage stands at 62.1%, Marathwada continues to lag far behind.Large reservoirs in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division are 58.3% full, down from 97.3% a year ago. Medium projects hold just 21.1% of their capacity, compared to 76.2% last year. Small projects are in the worst shape, with storage plunging to a mere 15.4% from 66.7% a year earlier.The deficit is a direct fallout of a failed monsoon. Jalna collector Ashima Mittal said the rains were simply not enough to recharge the region’s water bodies.“Due to rainfall deficit, the water bodies did not recharge. In the current scenario, we are making efforts to raise public awareness about using water judiciously, while also keeping a check on illegal drawing and lifting of water from water bodies. Drinking water is and will remain our priority,” she said.With the water situation worsening, district administrations have already begun taking precautionary measures. Dharashiv collector Keerthi Kiran Pujar said authorities are moving to secure every available source of drinking water.“Already, wells and bore wells are being acquired to maintain steady drinking water to even the last person residing in the remotest corner of the district,” he said.The numbers underline the scale of the challenge. Large dams in the region currently hold about 2,630 million cubic metres of water against a capacity of more than 4,500 mcm. Medium projects hold just 223 mcm, while small projects contain only 269 mcm.In contrast, water-rich Konkan has reservoirs filled to 88.9% of capacity, followed by Pune at 82.9% and Nashik at 80.3%. Even Nagpur and Amravati divisions, which have also witnessed rainfall concerns, are significantly better placed than Marathwada.The widening gap has left Marathwada staring at difficult summer months before they have even begun. With drinking water now the top priority, authorities are racing to conserve every available drop.Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news. Download the TOI App.