With the effects of drought beginning to tell on cities in western Maharashtra, the State irrigation department has decided to stall the release of water from Khadakwasla dam to meet Pune’s potable water demands. Water from Khadakwasla is usually released in two rotations for the summer crops in the outlying areas of Pune district like Daund and Indapur. This was always a bone of contention between the irrigation department and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) authorities, with the latter catering to the needs of a city heaving under a population in excess of 40 lakh citizens. The city would require at least 3 tmc water over the next two months, say officials who fear a full-blown crisis well before monsoon brings relief. In Washim, the collective stocks in 134 small and medium water projects stood at a robust 83% in October last year.

Source: The Hindu May 14, 2019 17:48 UTC