Sangli: The water supply department has prohibited drawing of water from the Koyna river for industries and farming. The water levels across the state are at their lowest, having fallen to seven per cent in all the reservoirs. Currently, the water level in Koyna is at 15.47 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic), of which only 10.15 TMC can be used for the next two months. Meanwhile, the storage capacity of Chandoli reservoir is 34.40 TMC of which only 2.30 TMC is now available. Water storage in Krishna river is nearly exhausted.
The water department has allowed drawing water for only drinking purposes. ‘‘Water and power licenses will be cancelled for a year of those found in violation of this order.’’ Along with this, the authorities will also confiscate the equipment used to draw water from the river. Untreated effluents are not to be released into the river, said the officials.
Sangli too is one of the drought stricken areas of the state and locals have been finding it difficult to get sufficient water for meeting their basic needs. This order has been introduced in phases and will be applicable until June 21, the official date for onset of monsoon. In case this does not happen, the order will stay in place. For the first time in a decade, temperatures in western Maharashtra have
touched 42 and 43 degrees Celsius. Along with the consumption of water, rapid evaporation is another factor causing depletion of water. There was increased demand by farmers for watering the crops in May. This water was used for sugarcane, grapes, bananas, soyabean and vegetables. The storage receded to 25 TMC because water was released to the farmers from Tembhu, Mhaisal and Takari.
In eight days water levels are set to hit dead storage in these dams, which prompted the authorities to enforce the restriction on usage. However, the hydel projects will be in operation. But the power supply for irrigation will be stopped.
