The decision was announced by Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil following a review of rainfall patterns and reservoir storage levels across major river basins in the state. The move comes as several regions continue to record below-normal rainfall, raising concerns over water availability in the months ahead.
According to the Water Resources Department, Maharashtra's reservoirs currently contain 357.5 TMC of usable water, representing only 25 per cent of their total storage capacity. Officials stated that the available water stock is significantly lower than the level recorded during the corresponding period last year.
The shortfall has been attributed to weak rainfall and lower-than-expected inflows into major dams across the state. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said the uncertainty surrounding the monsoon has made it essential to prioritise drinking water supplies over all other uses.
“The expected inflows into reservoirs have not materialised due to deficient rainfall. Ensuring drinking water availability for citizens remains the government's top priority,” the minister said.
The situation is particularly serious in the Pune division, where reservoir storage levels have declined sharply compared to the previous year. To prevent any disruption in urban water supply, the state government has directed the Water Resources Department to reserve sufficient drinking water for approximately 8.5 million residents of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad until the end of August.
Authorities have been instructed to continuously monitor reservoir storage levels and ensure that water designated for domestic consumption is protected from depletion during the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the monsoon season.
Several other regions of Maharashtra are also facing mounting water stress due to deficient rainfall. Official data shows that reservoirs in the Nashik division are currently operating at around 26 per cent usable storage capacity, while the Marathwada division holds approximately 28 per cent usable water reserves.
Officials noted that both regions, along with Ahilyanagar district, have received significantly below-normal rainfall this season. The persistent rainfall deficit has heightened concerns over water availability if monsoon conditions fail to improve in the coming weeks.
The government's decision underscores the seriousness of the developing water situation across Maharashtra. With reservoir levels substantially below last year's figures and monsoon inflows remaining uncertain, authorities are taking precautionary measures to safeguard drinking water supplies for millions of residents across the state.
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