Water levels in Maha reservoirs reach 59 pc

Water levels in major reservoirs of Maharashtra have increased to 59 per cent of their total capacity after fresh spell of bountiful rains lashed several parts of the state.
According to the latest data released by Chief Minister's Office, the state recorded 736 mm rainfall in the first week of August.
The total rainfall received so far in this season is 107.5 per cent of the average annual rainfall which was 62 per cent last year in the corresponding period.
Spell of medium to heavy downpour in several parts of the state, including state capital Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Raigad, Kolhapur, had thrown normal life out of gear, while filling major water bodies, which had turned parched due to prolong drought situation in the last few years.

"Due to exceptionally good rains and the work done under the 'Jalyukt Shivar' programme, there has been good storage of rain water this year. Thus, in many regions of the state, drinking water problems have come to an end," an official said.
There is enthusiasm among farmers due to good monsoon and the sowing operations for kharif crops is almost completed, the official added.

The official said that a good rainfall, coupled with the work done under the 'Jalyukt Shivar' programme has solved water problems of more than 1,000 villages in Maharashtra.
"There is also a substantial decrease in the number of villages in Marathwada where water had to be supplied through tankers," the official said.

Meanwhile, according to figures from the CMO, 26 districts, including Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Nashik, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Pune, Satara, Sangli, Aurangabad, Latur, Jalna, Osmanabad, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli, Buldhana, Akola, Washim, Amravati, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Wardha and Gadchiroli have received more than 100 per cent of the average annual rainfall this year.
Likewise, Dhule, Solapur, Kolhapur, Beed, Nagpur and Gondia districts have received in between 76 and 100 per cent of the average annual rainfall.
Nandurbar and Bhandara districts have received in between 51 and 75 per cent of the average annual rainfall till now, while the total water stock in major reservoirs is 59 per cent against 41 per cent in the corresponding period last year.

Water stock in reservoirs in districts is as follow: Marathwada 24 per cent against 7 per cent last year, Konkan 89 per cent (72 per cent last year), Nagpur 61 per cent (46 per cent last year), Amravati 67 per cent (41 per cent last year), Nashik 61 per cent (41 per cent last year), Pune 68 per cent (51 per cent last year).