Fear of drought looms over Marathwada, Nashik regions

With monsoon playing truant in Marathwada and Nashik, a drought like situation looms over these regions of the state.
Water stock in Ujani and Jaikwadi reservoirs in Marathwada region was low, state administration officials said.
Maharashtra Cabinet today took stock of situation in view of scanty rainfall.
The state has so far received 47 per cent of the average rainfall (234 mm) in the month of July.
A minister said that his cabinet colleagues from Marathwada and Nashik expressed concern over water shortage in these regions.
Relief and rehabilitation minister Patangrao Kadam said in the cabinet meeting that the situation would be monitored for another week and then any decision on declaring the state drought-hit would be taken.

Six districts of Nashik, Nandurbar, Nanded, Buldhana, Yavatmal and Hingoli have received less than 25 per cent rains, while only Sindhudurg (Konkan) and Sangli (western Maharashtra) have received 75 to 100 per cent rainfall.
There is 29 per cent water stock in reservoirs as compared to last year's 51 per cent, officials said.
As many 1,726 tankers are supplying drinking water to 1,480 villages and 3,712 waadis (hamlets). As of today, sowing is complete in over 36 per cent of the total kharif cultivation area.