Drought in 265 talukas: Maharashtra's Ganesh immersions and funeral rites hit by water crisis

The ten-day Ganesh festival concluded on Friday, and a day later the Maharashtra government declared drought in 265 of the State's 358 talukas, covering several parts of the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. For many communities, the festival itself became a measure of how severe the water shortage has become.

In Kalamb town in Dharashiv district, part of Marathwada, the local administration had to prepare for idol immersion without a river. The Manjara river and nearby water bodies were completely dry after a large monsoon deficit, so civic authorities filled temporary ponds using water tankers. For idols taller than four feet, processions were asked to divert to a nearby stone quarry that still held residual water.

"We didn't even have water to immerse the idols. You can only imagine what is going to happen until the next monsoon," said Balaji Adsul, a resident of Kalamb.

The shortage is widespread. India Meteorological Department data show that 20 of Maharashtra's 36 districts have recorded deficient rainfall. Reservoir levels reflect the gap: dams in Marathwada are at 46 per cent of capacity, compared with 81 per cent at this time last year, while reservoirs in the Amravati division of Vidarbha have fallen to 64 per cent from 85 per cent.

G. Sreekanth, Divisional Commissioner of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which covers eight Marathwada districts, had urged Ganesh mandals to avoid traditional immersion in water bodies and instead donate idols, preserve them for the following year or conduct only symbolic immersion. The appeal found limited acceptance among tradition-bound communities. In Renapur taluka of Latur district, one mandal carried its large idol to the tehsil office and asked where it was expected to immerse it.

"The situation here is grim, though some water in the Wardha river allowed for idol immersions," said Madhuri Khadse, a farmer from Yavatmal in Vidarbha. She said farmers had submitted a memorandum to the District Collector seeking immediate assistance to prevent a rise in suicides. In Amravati, the municipal body deployed water tankers so that mandals had water for immersion.

Beyond ritual, the scarcity has entered the most private moments of life. Sominath Gholwe, a farmer and social science researcher from Beed, said families are dependent on tankers even for the dashkriya vidhi, the tenth-day funeral rite. "One of my relatives in Pathardi passed away. We had to bring water via tankers from borewells, store it in a well, and then perform the rites," he said. With rivers dry and groundwater depleted, signs reading "Water tankers for dashkriya vidhi available here" have become a common sight across Marathwada.

Mr. Gholwe, who travelled through five districts of the region, said about 85 per cent of crops have failed, describing a situation that combines lost farm income, drinking water scarcity and disruption to daily life.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who toured the drought-affected parts of Marathwada earlier this week, said relief would include cash compensation. "This is a big drought. The State government has earlier waived off loans and electricity bills. Now we will pay compensation in cash. We will ensure they get water, foodgrains and children continue their education," he said.

Officials have not indicated when significant rainfall is next expected. With reservoirs depleting, the coming months will test the State's ability to supply drinking water, protect whatever crops remain and sustain livestock, as families wait for the monsoon.