Nashik District Stares At Water Crisis As Dam Storage Drops To 38%

The temperature in Nashik district has crossed the 40°C mark, and the heatwave has just started to cause panic. The water demand has increased and the reservoirs are slowly reaching their bottom. Due to rapid evaporation, the total water storage in the dams has come down to 38% of their total capacity. Although 9% more water is available than last year, there is less water left in the three dams of Gautami Godavari, Waghad and Bhojapur than last year.

This year, the intense heatwave started to be felt in March itself. In the first week of April, the temperature crossed the 40°C mark. Due to the heat, the water in the dams is evaporating rapidly. Apart from this, due to the increase in daily demand and consumption of water, the water storage in the dams has also started to decrease. There are a total of 24 medium and large-sized dams in the district. These dams have a storage capacity of 65,664 million cubic feet. Last year, on April 7, 19,147 million cubic feet or 29.16% of the usable water storage was left in the dams. However, this year, in the first week of April, 38.36% or 25,190 million cubic feet of water storage is available. Although the water storage is 9% more than last year, the district administration faces the challenge of supplying this water by the end of June due to the intense heat this year.

14 tankers approved in the district

Due to the depletion of usable water storage in reservoirs like wells, lakes and dams, the demand for water supply through tankers is increasing in rural areas. The administration has approved water supply through tankers in five talukas in the district. Therefore, tankers will start running to villages and settlements in a day or two, informed the district administration on Monday. 14 tankers have been approved in Yeola, Sinnar, Igatpuri, Peth and Surgana talukas. The maximum number of tankers has been approved in Yeola, nine, two in Sinnar, and one each in Igatpuri, Peth and Surgana.