Maharashtra braces for El Nino: CM unveils ₹16,500 crore water security plan
Maharashtra: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that the state government is preparing for the possibility of less-than-normal rainfall this year due to the impact of El Niño. Meteorological Department forecasts suggest that this phenomenon could adversely impact the monsoon, raising concerns of drought-like conditions in parts of Maharashtra.
Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis said the government has begun taking precautionary measures to deal with potential water shortages. These measures include saving drinking water, strengthening water-saving programs like the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, and increasing fodder development efforts to ensure adequate fodder for animals in case of poor rainfall.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the long-term water management plan outlined in the state budget. The state has allocated ₹16,569.28 crore in the budget for water resources. The government has set a target of ensuring 55 liters of water per day in rural areas and 135 liters in urban areas in the coming years. To improve water data management, a State Water Information Center will be built in Nashik with an allocation of Rs. 71.20 crore.
Several major river-linking and flood mitigation projects have also been proposed. These include a World Bank-funded Rs. 2,240 crore flood control project for Kolhapur and Sangli districts. This project aims to divert excess floodwater from the Krishna Basin to drought-prone areas of Western Maharashtra and Marathwada.
In addition, the government plans to implement major river-linking projects and urban water supply and wastewater management schemes to strengthen long-term water security across the state.
