Nagpur: With three Pench project dams holding just 47.85% of their designed live storage, the Water Resources Department’s (WRD) preliminary assessment has ruled out Rabi irrigation in the command area during the 2026-27 season. Fearing scarcity in the coming months, officials are prioritising drinking water, emergency reserves and ongoing Kharif irrigation.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has sought 190 million cubic metres (MCM) of water until August 31, 2027, the same quantity allocated last year, said executive engineer (Water Works) Shrikant Waikar after the meeting convened by district collector Ashirwad Kumar. The Pench project’s three dams — Totladoh, Navegaon Khairi and Khindsi — held a combined live storage of 603.66 MCM on Oct 16, against a designed capacity of 1,261.67 MCM, according to the WRD’s status report. Totladoh held 446.48 MCM (43.90% of its live storage capacity), Navegaon Khairi 100.32 MCM (70.78%) and Khindsi 56.86 MCM (55.20%). The department has factored in the anticipated impact of El Niño while planning water use until Aug 31, 2027. Of the 228.20 MCM reserved annually for non-irrigation purposes, including domestic and industrial needs, 28.76 MCM had been used by Oct 16, while another 199.44 MCM is projected to meet the remaining demand. The assessment also accounts for estimated evaporation losses of 104 MCM, a 50 MCM emergency drinking water reserve and a further 10% carryover buffer of 60.37 MCM under the Oct 5 govt resolution. Another 200 MCM is estimated to be required for the remaining Kharif irrigation operations.
Officials from the WRD, NMC and several other govt agencies attended the meeting. Submitted at the annual water reservation meeting on Friday, the assessment assumes significance for Nagpur city, which depends heavily on the Pench project for drinking water.
After accounting for these requirements, only around 0.17 MCM would remain available, leaving insufficient water for the proposed Rabi irrigation programme. PENCH PROJECT’S WATER STATUS Total live storage capacity: 1,261.67 MCM Live storage on October 16: 603.66 MCM (47.85%) Totladoh: 446.48 MCM (43.90%) Navegaon Khairi: 100.32 MCM (70.78%) Khindsi: 56.86 MCM (55.20%) INFOBOX: WATER REQUIREMENTS TILL AUGUST 2027 NMC’s water demand: 190 MCM Total non-irrigation reservation: 228.20 MCM Remaining non-irrigation demand: 199.44 MCM Estimated evaporation losses: 104 MCM Emergency drinking water reserve: 50 MCM Mandatory carryover buffer: 60.37 MCM Water needed for remaining Kharif irrigation: 200 MCM Projected balance after requirements: Just 0.17 MCM WHY RABI IRRIGATION IS UNLIKELY Pench project storage is below 50% of its designed live capacity. The remaining Kharif irrigation season is expected to require another 200 MCM. The Water Resources Department’s preliminary assessment says there is insufficient water for Rabi irrigation in 2026-27.
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