Pench water released for drinking needs

Nagpur: With temperatures in Nagpur nearing 47°C and rural water sources depleting rapidly, the district administration has begun releasing water from the Pench project into canals and natural streams to address drinking water shortages.A senior official said several rivers, wells, and borewells in interior areas have either dried up or recorded a sharp decline in water levels. In response to repeated demands from villages, water has been released through the Right Bank Canal (RBC) of the Pench project."Following the collector's approval, the release is being carried out in a regulated manner. Around 100 to 150 cusecs of water is being discharged cautiously to avoid wastage and ensure equitable distribution," the official said.The release began on Sunday, with water now reaching nullahs connected to the canal network. Authorities also said water was released from the Sur River system over the past 8 to 15 days to support scarcity-hit pockets.Despite the ongoing crisis in several villages, officials said the overall storage position in the Pench system remains comfortable for now. Combined live storage across the three dams, including the Khairi reservoir system, stands at around 56%, according to district administration estimates.The administration is closely monitoring the situation as extreme heat persists across the region, further straining rural drinking water supplies ahead of the monsoon.