Maharashtra drought: Monsoon not over, but Marathwada turns to tankers as water sources run dry

The monsoon season continues, but the drought-stricken region of Marathwada is already turning to water tankers as water sources run dry. Out of the 76 talukas in the region, 74 have been declared drought-affected. To supply water to 160 villages, 277 tankers are currently in operation. More villages are seeking tanker supplies as wells and local water sources dry up.

The administration claims reservoirs like the Jayakwadi dam near Paithan will suffice for drinking and domestic needs. However, farmers like 40-year-old Badrinath Bharat from Shahapur are spending Rs 3,000 daily on two tankers to keep their ginger crop and family livestock alive. In Siddhanath Vadgaon, farmer Sachin Bilwal has been purchasing tanker water for over a month, primarily for his family and three cattle, at a cost of Rs 1,000 per tanker that lasts a week.

Both Bharat and Bilwal had cultivated crops like cotton, maize, and tur, but their yield was minimal due to the lack of rain. The severe water stress is evident in the deployment of tankers. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 77 villages receive water from 120 tankers, while Beed's 65 villages receive 127 tankers. Jalna has 22 tankers serving its villages.

Despite the state declaring drought in 265 of its 358 talukas, relief measures include deploying tankers for drinking water as needed. However, officials report no water shortage in the district, and additional tankers will be deployed if required. Only three of the 277 deployed tankers belong to the government, with the rest operated by private owners at state expense.

The water shortage coincides with incomplete work under the Jal Jeevan Mission in the region, with only about half of the project completed due to funding and other issues.