The state of Maharashtra has been reeling under drought conditions once again. Moreover, the water reserves in the state have gone to 19.35 percent, which is a 11.5 percent drop since the last year, resulting in the fourth drought year in the past five years.
Last year, it was 30.84 percent around this time itself. The worst hit region is Aurangabad which has just about 5.14 percent water as compared to 28.2 percent in the previous year. Nagpur stands second which has 10.17 percent water against 15.91 percent last year. Nashik has 17.78 percent water only as compared to 32.66 percent in 2018.
Many parts of Marathwada including Latur, Beed, Jalna, Ausa and Dharur only get water once a week.
As per the information by state government, as of now, there are 4,774 water tankers which have been supplying water to people in 182 tehsils of 23 districts of Maharashtra. Not only this, around 9 lakh cattle also remain in 1,276 fodder camps.
Taking into account, one more installment of Rs 2,160 crore has been released by the centre to the Maharashtra government for taking measures regarding the drought situation in the state.
Fadnavis has expressed gratitude to PM Modi for providing funds to Maharashtra from the National Disaster Response Fund during the time when several districts are reeling under drought.
Fadnavis took to Twitter, the micro blogging site for thanking the Prime Minister regarding the fund and also mentioned that the total assistance received from the centre so far is Rs 4248.59 crore.
At the time when opposition attacked Fadnavis government in terms of drought, Fadnavis had written a letter to the Election Commission that as polling in Maharashtra had come to an end, they should get an ease and be allowed to carry out some relief work for drought.
Thus, the Election Commission granted the Maharashtra Government to take relief measures after they sought relaxation of the model code of conduct.
Image Credit: DNA