37% Evaporation Loss For Nagpur Divn Dams By Aug 31: WRD Study

Nagpur: With the looming "Super El Nino" effect threatening below-normal rainfall and prolonged heat spells across Vidarbha, a Water Resources Department (WRD) review has warned that nearly 37% of the region's planned water utilisation till Aug 31 could evaporate from reservoirs.An internal review note of the water resources department accessed by TOI reveals that authorities expect to utilise 655.52 million cubic metres (Mcum) of water across six Vidarbha districts — Nagpur, Wardha, Gondia, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli — between May 1 and Aug 31. The department has projected that 245.69 Mcum will be lost to evaporation due to extreme heat conditions, followed by 223.06 Mcum for irrigation, drinking purposes 115.37 Mcum and 71.40 Mcum for industrial use.The reservoirs in Nagpur regional division under the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) currently hold 2,232.49 Mcum water, 541.51 Mcum more than the corresponding period last year. As per projections, reservoir storage across the six districts may decline to 1,627.46 Mcum by Sept 1 after accounting for drinking water supply, irrigation, industrial use and evaporation losses.A senior department official, responding to queries on the projected evaporation losses, said the estimates for this year were prepared based on past trends and previous years' reservoir data.The projections emerged during a "Heat Wave Preparedness and Water Scarcity 2026" review meeting chaired by the divisional commissioner on May 14. Officials reviewed reservoir conditions across the districts amid forecasts of below-normal rainfall and prolonged dry spells this monsoon season.The Nagpur regional division under the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC) manages 370 dams and barrages, including 12 major, 43 medium and 315 minor projects. Together, these reservoirs currently hold 2,232.49 Mcum water, 541.51 Mcum more than the corresponding period last year.Despite the higher storage, officials appear wary of the months ahead. Sources said the department has unusually postponed its critical water reservation review till Aug 31 instead of relying on the conventional March assessment.The review note also underlines stark regional disparities in water security. Nagpur district alone accounts for 931 Mcum current storage and is projected to retain 773.36 Mcum by September-end. In contrast, Gadchiroli's available stock stands at only 88.75 Mcum, while Chandrapur may be left with just 160.16 Mcum after the planned drawal period.The findings have intensified concerns over water management practices in urban areas, particularly Nagpur city, where nearly 40% treated water is estimated to be lost through leakages, theft and illegal connections. "During a review meeting on Monday chaired by guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, civic authorities were directed to identify leakage hotspots and crack down on unauthorised water usage," said an official privy to the development.Officials are also internally assessing whether industrial water allocations may need curtailment if rainfall remains deficient.While the department maintains there is "no immediate water scarcity" in the region, the review note makes it clear that Vidarbha's water security this year will depend heavily on how quickly and how much the monsoon revives the rapidly depleting reservoirs.