Maharashtra orders water cuts from October 16 amid drought, El Nino concerns

The Maharashtra government has mandated water rationing starting October 16, citing drought-like conditions and the potential impact of an El Niño event on water availability in the coming year. Municipal corporations, municipalities, and gram panchayats have been instructed to reduce water usage by at least 10%. Local bodies are tasked with identifying and eliminating water leaks.

Sewage treatment plants must operate at maximum capacity. The government aims to encourage the use of treated wastewater for non-drinking purposes such as gardening, construction, and washing.

Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan revealed that the department has developed a reservoir and usage-specific water management strategy through August 31, 2027, prioritizing drinking water supply. All agencies have been urged to conserve water and implement measures to stretch the available resources. Drinking water will be the top priority, with reservoirs and dams holding drinking water up to August 31, 2028.

The government will consider evaporation, siltation, and unauthorized water extraction when determining the accessible supply.

A 10% emergency reserve will be kept in each reservoir to handle unpredictable rainfall and water conditions. In dire circumstances, water from a reservoir's dead storage may be utilized after a technical evaluation, according to the government.