Maharashtra Rains: Govt issues warning as water level in Jaikwadi dam crosses 86%

Due to heavy rains, the water level in Jaikwadi, which is the biggest dam in the drought-prone Marathwada region, has crossed 86 per cent. 

The Water Resources Department has asked district officials to closely monitor the water levels and if required, open the gates for discharge. Moreover, the department has sent alerts.

Of the total water storage capacity (2,170,000 million litres), Jaikwadi, which is located at Paithan taluka in district Aurangabad, at present holds 1,846,300 million litres.

With the weather department predicting continuous rains in Marathwada, the water level in the dam is expected to rise in the next 48 hours.

The Jaikwadi dam water is the primary source for irrigating 2.5 lakh hectares of agricultural land in the drought-hit region. The water is used for industries mainly in Aurangabad and Jalna districts, which are the biggest industrial hubs. Apart from this, it provides drinking water to the region.

Despite a large amount of water discharge following the opening of gates in Manjara and Majalgaon dam in Beed, the water level was 100 per cent.

On Tuesday, all 18 gates of Manjara dam and 11 gates of Mazalgaon dam were opened for water discharge, said an official release by the state government. This resulted in floods in Beed and the adjoining Latur district.