"Water released for farming and industries will have to be kept for drinking purpose if the current situation (lack of rains) persists for another 8-10 days," Minister for Water Supplies Laxman Dhoble said while talking to reporters here.
He said the State is faced with a serious situation on the water front and asked people to use the precious natural resource carefully.
Water availability was down by nearly 13 per cent as compared to the last year, he said. "Water is available for only 18-22 days at many places in the state."
"In the prevailing situation, there is difficulty in providing water through water tankers as well. If the problem worsens, then I will have to take up the issue in the Cabinet meeting," he added.
The Minister also asked the five-star hotels, real estate developers and construction firms to avoid wastage of water and use it carefully.
He further said the situation in Osmanabad and Jalna districts in Central Maharashtra is very bad due to water scarcity and soon a meeting in this regard would be convened.