Scanty rains give scare to Maharashtra's politicians

MUMBAI: In case of rainfall being deficient till June-end, water supply is likely to be cut in Mumbai.

Like many other states in the western and southern parts of the country, Maharashtra is also staring at the possibility of a delayed or weak monsoon and there is already a talk of water cuts in cities. In case monsoon does not reach its normal range by the end of June, water supply for non-essential activities may be restricted by various municipal bodies.

In Mumbai, BMC held a meeting last week to take stock of the water level in five lakes that supply water to the city and suburbs. “We have enough water to supply the city till the end of July, but we are hoping that monsoon arrives now so that water levels rise again,“ BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte said. The BMC will enforce some cuts in supply to nonessential works such as commercial activities or to construction sites, according to a senior hydraulic engineer.

Mumbai city has received 54 mm rainfall since June 1, which is 190 mm below normal at this time of the year, while suburbs have received 79 mm rainfall, which is 137 mm below normal. Pune city has received 12 mm of rainfall, which is 69 mm below normal. Goa has received 370 mm rainfall since June 1, which is 96 mm below normal.

Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has started holding regular meetings with the water resources minister and his officers and ordered that the supply of water by tankers to villages in remote parts of the state, which normally halts from June 15, should be continued. From next week, the situation will be reviewed every day.

In Maharashtra, the delay in monsoon or a weak monsoon may put even more pressure on politicians as assembly polls are scheduled just after the monsoon season. In a somewhat similar sit uation, damages brought in by hailstorm in 24 districts just before the Lok Sabha polls became a major political issue in the state as opposition BJP & Shiv Sena alleged that farmers were provided no relief or compensation despite aid coming from the centre. The ruling combine in the state doesn't want to face a similar situation this time.

“The forecast we have received from the meteorological department says that monsoon is behind schedule by about 10 days. There has been scanty pre-monsoon rains in some parts of the state, but much more is needed. This is the peak sowing season for kharif crop which has been affected. We are preparing for the worst,“ said deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.