Nagpur: With three Pench project dams holding just 47.85% of their designed live storage, the Water Resources Department’s (WRD) preliminary assessment has ruled out Rabi irrigation in the command area during the 2026-27 season. Fearing scarcity in the coming months, officials are prioritising drinking water, emergency reserves and ongoing Kharif irrigation.Submitted at the annual water reservation meeting on Friday, the assessment assumes significance for Nagpur city, which depends heavily on the Pench project for drinking water.Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has sought 190 million cubic metres (MCM) of water until August 31, 2027, the same quantity allocated last year, said executive engineer (Water Works) Shrikant Waikar after the meeting convened by district collector Ashirwad Kumar. Officials from the WRD, NMC and several other govt agencies attended the meeting.According to the WRD’s status report, the Pench project’s three dams — Totladoh, Navegaon Khairi and Khindsi — held a combined live storage of 603.66 MCM on Oct 16, against a designed capacity of 1,261.67 MCM.Totladoh held 446.48 MCM (43.90% of its live storage capacity), Navegaon Khairi 100.32 MCM (70.78%) and Khindsi 56.86 MCM (55.20%).The department has factored in the anticipated impact of El Niño while planning water use until Aug 31, 2027. Of the 228.20 MCM reserved annually for non-irrigation purposes, including domestic and industrial needs, 28.76 MCM had been used by Oct 16, while another 199.44 MCM is projected to meet the remaining demand.The assessment also accounts for estimated evaporation losses of 104 MCM, a 50 MCM emergency drinking water reserve and a further 10% carryover buffer of 60.37 MCM under the Oct 5 govt resolution. Another 200 MCM is estimated to be required for the remaining Kharif irrigation operations.After accounting for these requirements, only around 0.17 MCM would remain available, leaving insufficient water for the proposed Rabi irrigation programme. The district collector will decide on Rabi irrigation in consultation with the department.PENCH PROJECT’S WATER STATUSTotal live storage capacity: 1,261.67 MCMLive storage on October 16: 603.66 MCM (47.85%)Totladoh: 446.48 MCM (43.90%)Navegaon Khairi: 100.32 MCM (70.78%)Khindsi: 56.86 MCM (55.20%)INFOBOX: WATER REQUIREMENTS TILL AUGUST 2027NMC’s water demand: 190 MCMTotal non-irrigation reservation: 228.20 MCMRemaining non-irrigation demand: 199.44 MCMEstimated evaporation losses: 104 MCMEmergency drinking water reserve: 50 MCMMandatory carryover buffer: 60.37 MCMWater needed for remaining Kharif irrigation: 200 MCMProjected balance after requirements: Just 0.17 MCMWHY RABI IRRIGATION IS UNLIKELYPench project storage is below 50% of its designed live capacity.Drinking water, industrial demand, evaporation and emergency reserves have been factored into the assessment. The remaining Kharif irrigation season is expected to require another 200 MCM.The Water Resources Department’s preliminary assessment says there is insufficient water for Rabi irrigation in 2026-27.
About The Author
