With only 47 pc water in Jayakwadi dam, threat of early summer looms large in Marathwada

The oldest earthen dam Jayakwadi in Paithan taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) caters to the drinking and irrigation needs of the region. The water from this dam helps irrigate 2.5 lakh hectares of land.

Last year in November, Jayakwadi dam was filled to its maximum holding capacity of 2,770,930 million litres. Currently, the dam’s water storage is only 1,023,560 million litres.

Jayakwadi is not the only exception. All major dams in Marathwada region depict an alarming scenario. Water storage in Majalgaon dam is 11.34 pc, Manjara 29.96 pc, Lower Terna 23.45 pc, Sina Kolegaon 0 pc, Lower Dudhna 27.39 pc. Last year, their water storage were 100 pc, 97.11 pc, 100 pc, 100 pc, 75.05 pc respectively.

However, three dams stand out for better water storage — Siddheshwar 99.39 pc (last year) 100 pc; Lower Manor 73.49 pc (73.49 pc) and Yeldhari 62.19 pc (0 pc).

The drought-prone Marathwada region with total 964 dams has a water storage of 40.54 pc. Earlier it was more than double at 88.09 pc. In terms of actual water storage, Marathwada comprising eight districts of Beed, Dharashiv, Nanded, Jalna, Latur, Parbhani, Sambhajinagar and Hingoli has 2,942,920 million litres as against its optimum storage capacity of 7,258,830 million litres.

A fortnight ago, the state cabinet declared drought in 42 talukas. Among them, 14 talukas are in Marathwada region.

As per the government data, at the end of monsoon (October 30), the total rain at 928.8 mm was less compared to 1,075.3 mm last year. The rain this monsoon was 86 per cent to the normal. It meant an overall rain deficit of 14 per cent.

The official report states that 121 talukas received 50 to 75 per cent rainfall, 144 talukas had rain between 75 and 100 per cent. Only in five talukas the rain was extremely low at 25 to 50 per cent of the normal. However, 85 talukas received 100 per cent and above rainfall between June and October end.

A senior water resources department officer said, “From the current status, our real concern is Marathwada. With effective planning and monitoring of the dam water levels, the drinking water crisis can be avoided. On agriculture front, he said, “there has to be a strict advisory and its enforcement to ensure effective utility of every drop of water.”

Agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde reckons the challenges in coming summer. It is evident as the area under rabi is estimated to decline from last year’s 61 lakh hectares to 53.76 lakh hectares. Munde said, “The agriculture department is working with farmers to see if the area under rabi sowing could be increased by five lakh hectares using technique of water controlled and managed agriculture.”

The region-wise rain compiled for entire monsoon period (June to October-end) shows Nashik 75 pc, Sambhajinagar 76, Latur 72 pc, Amravati 85 pc, Nagpur 97 pc, Konkan 102 pc, Kolhapur 59 pc.