Maharashtra Implements Weekly Water Cuts Starting October 15
In response to severe drought conditions, Maharashtra enforces weekly water supply cuts and bans new borewell drilling.
75% of Maharashtra's talukas are drought-affected, leading to water restrictions.
Pune will suspend water supply every Thursday to conserve resources until August 2027.
Nagpur has prohibited new borewell drilling to protect groundwater amid worsening shortages.
As Maharashtra grapples with a significant drought, nearly 75% of its talukas have been declared drought-affected, prompting the state government to implement strict water restrictions. Starting October 15, Pune will suspend its water supply every Thursday to conserve existing reserves, aiming to ensure availability until August 2027. Meanwhile, Nagpur has enacted a ban on the drilling of new borewells and the deepening of existing ones to safeguard groundwater resources.
The drought situation has escalated following a deficient Southwest Monsoon, with 265 out of 358 talukas officially declared drought-affected as of September. In response, municipal corporations and local bodies have been directed to enforce a minimum 10% reduction in water supply from October 16. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar region, severely impacted, has seen medium irrigation projects holding only 21.12% of their capacity, a stark contrast to 76.23% during the same period last year.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has reported that the Khadakwasla reservoir system currently holds 38.78 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water, significantly lower than the previous year's 95% capacity. To mitigate the crisis, the PMC has urged residents and businesses to minimize water usage and implement water-saving measures. Guidelines include avoiding the use of drinking water for construction and checking for leaks in household plumbing.
In Nagpur, the District Disaster Management Authority has prohibited new borewell drilling to alleviate pressure on drinking water sources. This ban affects all sectors, including private individuals, farmers, and industries, while government agencies are exempt. The administration has emphasized that existing borewells can still be utilized, but new drilling is strictly prohibited until further notice.
Looking ahead, the Maharashtra government plans to monitor water conditions bi-weekly and will take necessary actions, including the potential takeover of private wells for public use. The agriculture department is also advising farmers to plant less water-intensive crops for the upcoming rabi season. As the situation develops, authorities remain focused on conserving water resources and ensuring access to drinking water across the state.
