Insufficient rain in Maharashtra: Over 351 tankers supply water this year compared to only 8 last year

The issue of unsatisfactory rain this year was discussed in the state cabinet meeting on Friday where the government has instructed the administration to start preparing for issues such as possible water scarcity, drought in some parts as well as crop losses.

As per the data from the Agriculture department, Maharashtra has seen sowing on 139.35 lakh hectare land which is 91% of the total farm land. The state has till now seen 89% rain of the average which was 122.8% of the average in 2022.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the state administration to begin preparations for the availability of cattle food, drinking water etc.

As per the data from the Water Resources department, the total water storage in state’s dams is 61.9% of the total capacity which was 80.9% in the previous year. Dams in Aurangabad and Nashik divisions have the lowest water storage at 31.65% and 57.16% respectively. Dams in Konkan, Nagpur, Pune, Amaravati has water storage 87.25%, 70.47%, 68.23% and 66.57% respectively.

The possibility of El-Nino effect and resultant unsatisfactory rain in the state was discussed in several cabinet meetings in previous months. The government in May itself had directed the state administration to be prepared for a drought-like situation.