Out of 353 talukas, 86 have 0 to 20 per cent rainfall deficiency groundwater level has depleted by three metres in 3,342 villages In 17,031 villages, ground water levels have depleted by a metre On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised help to drought affected areas of Maharashtra after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requested aid from Delhi during the centenary celebrations of Sai Baba Samadhi in Maharashtra’s Shirdi.
The latest assessment of groundwater reserves in Maharashtra carried out by the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency (GSDA) found that 11,487 villages in 167 talukas are likely to face water scarcity.
Starting with 114 talukas 2,941 villages are likely to face water scarcity from October onwards.
The number will increase to 143 talukas – 2,990 villages from January.
GSDA assesses groundwater reserves four times a year.
The latest assessment has found that variations in rainfall till September 2018 have led to a deficiency in water.
Out of 353 talukas, 86 have 0 to 20 per cent rainfall deficiency; 61 talukas have 20 to 30 per cent and 109 talukas have 30 to 50 per cent deficiency whereas, 27 talukas have more than 50 per cent rainfall deficiency.
Report says in 252 talukas comprising 13,984 villages, the groundwater level has depleted by three metres in 3,342 villages.
The reasons for this scarcity of water have been attributed to inadequate rainfall, lack of water management and indiscriminate use of water for irrigation.
On October 9, the Devendra Fadnavis government decided to launch a massive outreach campaign in 200 out of 358 talukas in view of irregular monsoon rains and rising water scarcity.