Soyabean crops drying in parts of Nanded district due to poor run of monsoon
Reservoir Levels in Marathwada Remain Critically Low
Reservoir levels across Marathwada are alarmingly low despite the ongoing monsoon season. Recent data indicates that while the Jayakwadi dam has reached capacity due to upstream inflows from Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts, several other key reservoirs are struggling with inadequate storage.
In Dharashiv district, the Sina Kolegaon reservoir is at 0% capacity, while the Lower Terna reservoir is at 24%. In Beed district, storage levels are similarly concerning, with the Manjra reservoir at 12% and Majalgaon at 26%. The Lower Dudhna reservoir in Parbhani district is also critically low at 22%.
Overall, medium irrigation projects in Marathwada are reporting only 25% live storage, a significant drop from the 66% recorded during the same period last year. These figures highlight the urgent need for water management strategies as the region faces ongoing water scarcity issues.
Similarly, minor irrigation projects are showing only 18% stock as against 47% stock reported last year, shows the official data. Soyabean, cotton and tur crops are wilting under severe moisture stress, while more than 180 water tankers are already supplying villages despite it still being the monsoon season. Official data shows Marathwada has received only 388mm rainfall since June 1. The region’s eight districts together recorded an average of nearly 30% rainfall deficiency during the monsoon. The August deficit was 70% while in Sept, so far, the deficit is of 86%. In contrast, Marathwada had recorded a 109% rainfall surplus during the same period last year. In contrast, Marathwada had recorded a 109% rainfall surplus during the same period last year (this is since June 1, not for any particular month) The rainfall shortfall has also hit agriculture, with kharif sowing declining by 3.6 lakh hectares compared to the five-year average. More than 46 lakh hectares under kharif cultivation are now facing moisture stress.
The water emergency mirrors the deepening farm crisis across the region.