Nanded, Oct 30 (PTI) Water available in the Vishnupuri irrigation project in Maharashtra’s Nanded district has been reserved exclusively for drinking purposes, ruling out canal water supply for rabi crops, officials said on Friday.
The decision was taken in view of severe drought conditions caused by deficient rainfall during the monsoon season, with the current stock reserved for drinking needs until August 31 next year, an official from the irrigation department said.
According to a government order issued earlier this month, all available water from the Vishnupuri dam has been earmarked for the Nanded Municipal Corporation and various rural drinking water supply schemes, an official release stated.
Farmers in the area have been advised against sowing rabi crops or undertaking farming activities, the release said.
The department has also clarified that it will not be responsible for any losses suffered by farmers who sow or plant crops expecting irrigation water through the canals.
Stressing the need to carefully manage the available water stock amid drought, executive engineer of Nanded Irrigation Division (North), CR Bansod, has appealed to farmers in the Vishnupuri project’s command area to understand the gravity of the situation and cooperate with the department to ensure drinking water availability.
The state government has declared drought in 304 of its 358 talukas due to a significant rainfall deficit attributed to El Niño. PTI AW COR ARU
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