Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: At least 103 villages across Marathwada continue to rely on 200 water tankers for drinking water supply, which officials attributed to the uneven distribution of rainfall in the region.According to official data available till Tuesday, Jalna district accounted for the highest number of tankers at 107, followed by Beed (65), Nanded (15), Parbhani (12) and Latur (1). Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Dharashiv districts have, meanwhile, become free of tanker-based water supply.“As per standing instructions, water tankers are supplied to scarcity-hit areas till local demand subsides and water bodies see sufficient revival. The water situation will be reviewed periodically,” a senior official from the office of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisional commissioner said.Since June 1, Marathwada has received 158mm of rainfall, accounting for 87% of its normal monsoon showers. The region continues to face a 13% rainfall deficit, despite several parts of Maharashtra experiencing heavy to very heavy showers. Weather forecasts also indicate no significant rainfall activity in Marathwada during the current week.Meanwhile, the Jayakwadi major irrigation project in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is expected to receive inflows following rainfall in the upstream catchment areas of Nashik district. Considered a lifeline for large parts of Marathwada, the reservoir currently holds 29% live storage, official data showed.
