Monsoon at its peak, but water level in Maharashtra’s Jayakwadi dam is just 27.65 pc

The drought-prone Marathwada comprising eight districts–Aurangabad, Jalna, Hingoli, Nanded, Parbhani, Latur, Beed and Osmanabad–houses a total of 964 dams. The water levels in all these dams in the region recorded 26.8 pc as against 59.72 pc last year. In all 964 dams, the water levels currently stands at 19,45,630 million litres against its optimum capacity of 72,58,830 million litres.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Amid heavy rains, a massive amount of water discharged from Hatnur Dam on the Tapi River in Jalgaon. pic.twitter.com/7Ht3DY55lS

— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2023

According to water resources department, the water levels in dams in Marathwada region are much below the expected levels. At the peak of monsoon on July 23, statistics recorded by the department shows dam water levels at 26.8 pc as against 59.72 pc collectively for 964 dams.

A look water levels in some of the big dams in Marathwada region are as follows: Jayakwadi 27.65pc as against 84.9 pc last year. At Mazalgaon dam in Beed district, the water level at 16.22 pc is way below 39.8 pc last year for same month on July 23. The Siddheshwar dam at Hingoli is 15.49 pc as against 50.36 pc a year ago. Whereas at Yeldhari it is 58.22 pc against 64.09 a year ago. At Lower Dudhna in Parbhani district, it is 27.71 pc as compared to last year’s 69.25. The Lower Terna in Osmanabad has recorded 27.6 pc as against last year’s 60.26 pc.

While water resources and agriculture department have expressed concern over lower dam water levels in Marathwada region, the reason cited is delayed monsoon.

Citing the IMD report, sources in water resources department said, “If the monsoon stretches till August-end or mid-September, water levels in dams in Marathwada region will improve.” However, sources warned, “If the rains are scattered or restricted to just few districts, it could be a cause of alarm.”

Although monsoon arrived late in Maharashtra, almost 23 districts out of total 36 have received heavy rains in the past two weeks. The Konkan region including Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts are reeling under incessant rain which is likely to continue for some days. Almost eleven districts in Vidarbha region have received rain. Yavatmal and Buldhana districts witnessed floods due to overflowing rivers. As a result, special NDRF teams were deployed for rescue and relief operations. In Yavatmal, two helicopters were used to rescue 42 stranded people in a remote hamlet.

Across a total 3,267 dams in Maharashtra, the water level stands at 42.99 pc as against 64 pc last year.

The coastal Konkan region with 176 dams has water level 72.28 pc as compared to last year’s 81.11 pc. Situation in Amravati and Nagpur division which comes under Vidarbha region is satisfactory at 55.05 pc and 59.07 pc respectively. Last year, for the said period, the water level for Amravati division was 68.92 pc and Nagpur division was 62.64 pc.

The north Marathwada region is also a cause for concern. With 571 dams, its water level currently is 36.72 pc as against 61.64 pc last year. While western Maharashtra with 726 dams has touched 38.51 pc water level, it is way below last year’s 61.53 pc.

With sowing completed up to 80 per cent across the state, agriculture department is closely monitoring the changing rain pattern district-wise. Agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde, who has taken charge of agriculture department recently said, “We will support the farmers to face every challenges arising due to changing monsoon patterns.” Wherever farmers have undertaken second or third sowing, the administration will provide full support by providing all necessary logistics and support, he added.