Nagpur has been reeling under acute water scarcity over the last two weeks and the situation is likely to worsen further in the next few days if monsoon does not arrive on expected time. Gorewada lake has almost dried up and Navegaon Khairi too is not having enough water to quench the thirst of Nagpurians for a long.
The only welcome news for the denizens of Nagpur is that the much-awaited monsoon has arrived in Kerala and progressed towards Tamil Nadu, leading to pre-monsoon showers in Marathwada region.
However, met department is not sure when the monsoon would reach Nagpur and further delay in its onset would lead to deeper trouble. At present Nagpur is receiving 100 MLD water less than its total daily requirement.
According to sources the dead stock in the Totladoha dam, which caters to the need of Nagpurians, is depleting at a brisk pace because of scorching heat and higher evaporation. Moreover, due to power failure, the authorities concerned are finding it hard to supply water from Navegaon Khairi to city due to which at present city is receiving 100 MLD less water.
It is learnt that water supply is shrinking by 16 to 17 percent everyday causing great inconvenience to the denizens of Nagpur. As the city is receiving less water the storage level in the water tanks has also reduced, which has crippled water supply to the city. The water pressure in many areas have lowered.
Altaf Baig, a resident of Jafar Nagar said, pressure of tap water has reduced. As a result the overhead tank of his house remained empty. “We had to make alternate arrangements and store water in containers and drums,” he added.
Meanwhile, the demand for water tankers has increased too with growing water scarcity in many areas. People are also facing problem because of sharp dip in groundwater level and interrupted water supply from the authorities concerned. If the city does not get rainfall in the next few days, then the water scarcity would worsen further making life of Nagpurians difficult. Between March and May, Nagpur was getting 700 MLD to 725 MLD water every day. But after Gorewada lake dried up and due to limited water stock in other dams and irregular power supply the water supply system has crippled.
From June the city is getting 600 MLD water and as the demand for water has increased city is facing water shortage. As water is being supplied at low pressure, demand for water tankers has increased. However, Nagpur is not getting enough water over the last one week.
As a result the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is unable to utilise all the tankers to supply water in the scarcity-hit areas of the city. It is learnt that due to low water levels in tanks, 70 percent demand is being fulfilled through tankers. Sources said that the water supply from Navegaon Khair project is reducing due to which there is no possibility to provide water tankers as per demand.
