Latur: The water level in Latur’s Manjra dam has come down to zero, after a month of no rain. The state recorded the lowest rainfall in 27 years for September. Authorities have accordingly asked residents to ensure that there is no wastage of water.
Latur MIDC, Kalamb, Ambajogai, Dharur and many other villages, which fall in the rain shadow region, are dependent on parting showers from the retreating monsoon. All of these areas are now facing a shortage. Only two years ago, this district faced a severe drought, necessitating the dispatch of a water train to Latur. Already, the Latur Municipal Corporation (LMC) is releasing water once in 10 days.
Meanwhile, Latur Municipal Commissioner Kaustubh Divegaonkar has issued a notification asking citizens to use water wisely. Divegaonkar has said, “This water is for drinking only, not for washing houses, roads and cars.” He warned that the LMC would take stringent action against those violators. The capacity of Manjra dam is 225 million cubic metres, which now has hit dead stock, at 45 million cubic metres of water and what remains is sand. If rationed adequately and if this water is used only for drinking purposes, it can be conserved for a year.