Maharashtra has received 36% of its normal June rainfall: CM Shinde

Water scarcity is still a major problem in many districts of Maharashtra, even after the monsoon season began in Mumbai, Konkan, and other regions. After reviewing the situation on June 11, Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde gave the administration the order to buy solar pumps from the district development budget in order to fill water tankers in regions where there is a shortage. He also advocated for the creation of fodder camps, if it required.

With 4,041 tankers being used to supply water, the state is still facing a water shortage, even though it has received 36% of its normal June rainfall. Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister, Chief Secretary Dr. Nitin Karir, Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, and CM Shinde evaluated the current rainfall and water availability conditions during a review meeting. The state dams have a current live water storage of 20.16%, with Marathwada having the lowest amount at 8.56%, according to the water resources department. The need for tanker supplies is still urgent even if some rainfall raises the water levels in several dams, such as Jaikwadi near Sabhaji Nagar.

11,527 habitats, including 3,320 villages and 8,207 hamlets, are receiving potable water from 4,041 tankers, according to the water supply department's report. This represents an increase of 142 tankers over the previous week.

CM Shinde expressed hope for this year's anticipated strong rainfall. However, he did stress upon the importance of giving tanker water delivery in regions like Marathwada and North Maharashtra first priority. In order to address concerns with water storage and provide citizens with convenient access, he gave district collectors permission to construct solar pumps and buy plastic tanks.

He also asked the agriculture department to make sure there is an adequate supply of seeds and fertilizers for the kharif season. He also asked the district and taluka administrations to accelerate the funding distribution for crop losses.

In the first half of 2024, Maharashtra faced acute water shortage. Till May 2024, the Marathwada division had the lowest water storage at 19.36%, followed by the Pune division at 36.34%, the Nagpur division at 48.84%, the Amravati division at 49.62%, the Nashik division at 38.17%, and the Konkan division at 50.50%.

Of the 138 major dams in Maharashtra, 17 were completely dry; 23 hold less than 10% of the water; 20 have more than 50%; and the remaining dams hold between 20 and 40% of the water (until May 2024). This implies that there is a serious water shortage in the state.