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Nashik: While unseasonal rains are causing extensive damage to agriculture across the district, the scarcity of drinking water is simultaneously intensifying day by day. As water levels in wells, borewells, and smaller water sources in rural areas begin to recede, the district administration has initiated water supply operations using tankers.
Currently, five water tankers are operational across the district, supplying water to approximately 7,830 citizens residing in 24 villages and hamlets. This includes three villages and 21 hamlets. Specifically, tanker-based water supply is currently underway in one village in Deola Taluka, two villages and seven hamlets in Igatpuri Taluka, and 14 hamlets in Sinnar Taluka.
Although the number of tankers deployed this year is lower than that of the previous year, rising temperatures are accelerating the rate of evaporation from the district's dams. Currently, the total water storage across all dams in the district stands at 48.94 per cent. Gangapur Dam, the primary water source for Nashik city, currently holds 60.78 per cent of its total capacity. During the same period last year, the district's total water storage was 39.36 per cent, while Gangapur Dam held 65.63 per cent. Thus, while the overall water storage across the district has increased, the specific water levels within Gangapur Dam have declined.
Against the backdrop of this water scarcity, the administration has commenced tanker-based water supply in rural areas and is actively working to prevent the water crisis from escalating further. While farmers have already suffered a severe blow due to unseasonal rains, the emerging shortage of drinking water has created an atmosphere of deep concern throughout the rural regions.
