Nagpur: The water storage in five major reservoirs of Nagpur district, where drought has been declared in all the 14 talukas, has shrunk significantly over the past year. Together, these reservoirs hold 884.97 million cubic metres (MCM) of water, or 61.03% of capacity, as on Sept 28, while the stock was almost full on the same date last year, according to Water Resources Department (WRD).The drought declaration, made under Trigger-1 of the state’s Drought Management Code, follows rainfall deficiency and prolonged dry spells. The state has declared 265 of its 358 talukas drought-affected. The 14 affected talukas in Nagpur district include Nagpur rural, Kamptee, Saoner, Parsheoni, Mouda, Bhiwapur, Kalmeshwar, Katol, Ramtek, Hingna, Umred, Kuhi, Narkhed and Nagpur city.The combined storage capacity of the five major dams in the district — Totladoh, Navegaon Khairi, Khindsi, Wadgaon and Nand — is 1,449.99 MCM. Totladoh, the largest of them and a key component of the Pench system, is the biggest concern. It is only 55.34% full, with 562.81 MCM against a capacity of 1,016.93 MCM. On the same date last year, it was 99.92% full.Wadgaon has 60.76% water, against 100% last year, while Khindsi has 76.67%, compared with full storage a year ago. Navegaon Khairi stands at 81.22%, down from 97.50%. Nand, despite having the highest storage among the five at 86.33%, is also below last year’s 100%.The available water stock needs to be allocated for irrigation and drinking-water requirements. Of the 763.57 MCM earlier assessed in the three reservoirs central to Nagpur district’s water supply — Totladoh, Navegaon Khairi and Khindsi — WRD had estimated that around 121 MCM would be lost to evaporation and 217 MCM reserved for drinking water supply to Nagpur and Bhandara districts and industrial use. This leaves around 436 MCM for irrigation, against an estimated 550 MCM requirement for the kharif season alone.Nearly 65,000 hectares of farmland in the district depend on irrigation. With storage in reservoirs depleting, balancing irrigation needs with drinking-water and industrial requirements will be a challenge for the administration.The latest storage figures show that the water stress is not confined to the Pench system alone, making the drought declaration particularly significant as the district heads into the post-monsoon period.INFOBOX: Water Status In Nagpur DistDrought declared in 14 talukasDeclaration based on Trigger-1 framework — rainfall deficiency coupled with a prolonged dry spellStorage In 5 Major ReservoirsTotal capacity: 1,449.99 MCMCurrent water stock: 884.97 MCM or 61.03%Storage on same date last year: Nearly 100%Dam-wise LevelTotladoh: 55.34% full (99.92% last year)Navegaon Khairi (Kamthi Khairi): 81.22% full (97.50% last year)Khindsi: 76.67% full (100% last year)Wadgaon: 60.76% full (100% last year)Nand: 86.33% full (100% last year)Irrigation OutlookKharif season requirement: 550 MCMEstimated water available: 436 MCMPotential shortfall: 114 MCMAt risk: Around 65,000 hectaresMajor ConcernTotladoh reservoir, the district’s key water source, is only 55.34% full
