Water stock in Nashik dams swells, more showers in store

NASHIK: The revival of monsoon in the district over the past few days has added 52.7 TMC water in 24 dams across Nashik district including the Gangapur, Darna, and Kadwa dam.
The stock in these dams is now at 80% of their total capacity, up from 65% a month ago. The collective live storage of the dams is 65.7 TMC.
With the increase in water storage, officials from the water resources department told TOI that daily reports from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) are being used to gauge the amount of water that should be released —or not released — from the dams.“Unsatisfactory rains have led to insufficient water level in all the dams. We are trying to maintain the water storage in proportion to the monsoon, so that we can ensure that the required reservoir operation schedule (ROS) is maintained,” said an official.
Despite officials saying that the rains this month have been a boon for the district, IMD’s prediction of more rains in the following days will also improve water stock in the dams.
“Ground water levels have not been charged owing to poor rain last month. Good rain will ensure some ground water, which will be helpful for rabi crops. Nashik and Ahmednagar districts may be asked to release water owing to the insufficient water stock in Jayakwadi dam. The agriculture sector of the district will benefit only if all the dams are 100% full,” some officers said.
The civic administration must be prepared to deal with the scarcity in the villages where there are lower rains, an officer added.