Maharashtra is facing a severe water crisis with only 28.09% of total water stock remaining in major dams, raising fears of shortages before the monsoon fully sets in.
Maharashtra is already grappling with a worrying water crisis despite the first signs of monsoon having begun to appear. Only 28.09 per cent of the total water stock remains in Maharashtra’s major dams, according to data released by the State Water Resources Department on Wednesday, raising concerns over a possible water shortage in the coming weeks. While this is slightly higher than last year’s 23.43 per cent on the same date, the useful water stock- fit and accessible for use- is just 8,166.17 million cubic metres (MCM). This limited supply may not be enough to meet drinking, agricultural, and industrial needs until the monsoon sets in fully and consistently.
Pune currently has the lowest water stock among all divisions in Maharashtra, with just 21.52 per cent remaining. In contrast, Amravati holds the highest at 38.13 per cent, followed by Konkan (34.15 per cent), Nagpur (32.79 per cent), Nashik (31.35 per cent), and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (31.23 per cent). These figures highlight a widespread water shortage across the state rather than an isolated concern. Water levels in medium-sized projects stand at 38.98 per cent, while small projects are at 31.55 per cent, and large state-run projects have dropped to 29.94 per cent, as per a News 18 report.
Mumbai’s reservoirs — Modak Sagar, Tansa, Vihar, Tulsi, Middle Vaitarna, Upper Vaitarna, and Bhatsa — currently hold only 19.17 per cent of their total storage capacity. These seven dams supply around 4,000 million litres of water daily to the city. While this year’s level is an improvement over last year’s 13.63 per cent, it remains insufficient for a population of over 20 million, raising concerns ahead of the monsoon.
