This story is from July 3, 2009

'Just 7% live storage in dams across state'

State water resources minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that the state is facing acute shortage of drinking water due to depleted water storage at dams.
'Just 7% live storage in dams across state'
PUNE: State water resources minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that the state is facing acute shortage of drinking water due to depleted water storage at dams.
"All the dams in the state have on an average only 7 per cent live water storage at present. This is the worst situation in last three years. During the same period, the dams were holding 13% and 20% live water storage in year 2008 and 2007 respectively," said Pawar.
Speaking at the divisional level meeting to review water crisis, the water resources minister described the situation in Pune district as "terrible".
He announced to stop the use of water from Nira Devghar, Bhor-Bhatghar and Pawana dams for non-drinking purposes. Besides he said that live water storage in Pune district will be used only for drinking purposes.
State principal secretary of water supply and sanitation Ajit Kumar Jain, Pune Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Zagade, Mayor Rajlaxmi bhosale, divisional commissioner Dilip Band, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashish Sharma and PCMC mayor Aparna Doke were present at the meeting.
Pawar said many parts the state have registered rainfall much below the June average. Following this, the state government has taken steps to fight the crisis. The government has already announced a one month extension to measures taken under water scarcity relief programme till July 31.
Meanwhile, the district administration has stated that around 1.37 lakh population in rural areas of Pune district is facing shortage of drinking water at present. This population is dependent on water tankers to meet the demand. As many as 65 tankers have been deployed in district, which are providing water to 74 villages and 300 wadis in nine tehsils.
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