Heat intensifies, but water scarcity remains under control in district

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

While soaring temperatures continue to scorch the district, the water scarcity situation this summer appears comparatively under control. At present, water is being supplied to 103 villages and 31 hamlets through 160 tankers, significantly lower than the 260 tankers deployed during the same period last year.

Officials said satisfactory rainfall during the previous monsoon has reduced the severity of the crisis this year. However, the administration has remained cautious and prepared a contingency plan anticipating possible shortages between April and June in 593 villages across talukas including Vaijapur, Gangapur, Sillod, and Paithan, excluding Soygaon. Despite improved water reserves, rising temperatures, evaporation, and increasing consumption have kept the administration on alert. Plans have been made to acquire 322 wells in 301 villages and arrange water supply through 292 tankers if the situation worsens. Currently, severe scarcity is being reported in 103 villages and 31 hamlets, where tanker supply has already begun. Last year, around 280 tankers were operating during the same period. Keeping the situation in mind, the administration had prepared a Rs 35.63 crore action plan for tanker supply, well acquisition, and other emergency measures for the 593 vulnerable villages. However, officials said the overall water scarcity situation in the district remains manageable for now.