Insufficient rainfall in Maharashtra has led to acute shortage of drinking water in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, official sources said.
Drinking water situation has been worsening across the eight districts of Marathwada which has been already reeling under a severe drought situation. A total 3,386 water tankers have been presently deployed which is the highest in comparison to the last four years.
It may be noted that on the same day four years ago — 973 water tankers were supplied with water to the affected parts in the region. However, in 2016 drought period 4,015 water tankers were utilized to supply water in region.
According to official sources, severe drought situation emerged in the region due to insufficient rainfall in the state last year.
Water resources across the region dried out and only 1.7 per cent live water stocks remain in more than 800 irrigation projects including major, medium, small and KT weirs in the region.
They further said that, at present 2,400 villages and 809 hamlets in the region are being affected and 3,386 water tankers are supplying water to 54.71 lakhs population in the region.
The divisional administration has already acquired 6,238 private wells in the region to supply water during the scarcity-like condition.
Divisional headquarters district Aurangabadis the most affected in the region where 1,146 water tankers are engaged to supply water to affected 768 villages and 269 hamlet, followed by 940 tankers in Beed for 638 villages and 341 hamlets, 675 tankers in 530 villages and 123 hamlets in Jalna district,228 tankers in 169 villages and 11 hamlets in Osmanabad district, 132 tankers in 77 villages and 26 hamlets in Nanded district, 105 tankers in 83 villages and 19 Hamlets in Latur , 94 tankers in76 villages and 15 hamlets In Parbhani district, and 68 villages and 16 hamlets in Parbhani and 66 tankers in Hingoli district 41 villages and five hamlets, sources said.
Meanwhile, the pre-monsoon showers lashed during last 48 hours in different parts of the region have brought relief from intense heat to people . (UNI)
