Maharashtra’s Latur Under Year-Long Water Scarcity Alert as Groundwater Drops Sharply

The Latur administration in Maharashtra declared the entire district a ‘water scarcity zone’ for one year amid a sharp decline in groundwater levels following inadequate monsoon rainfall. The move imposes strict restrictions on borewell drilling and groundwater extraction to prevent a potential drinking water crisis in the coming months.

The groundwater level in the district has dropped by around 4.58 metres, raising concerns over water availability. All 10 tehsils of Latur have already been declared drought-affected by the Maharashtra government.

District Collector and District Disaster Management Authority chairman Bharat Bastewad issued the order under the Maharashtra Groundwater (Development and Management) Act, 2009, to regulate groundwater use and safeguard public drinking water sources.

Under the new restrictions, digging wells or borewells deeper than 60 metres for agricultural or industrial purposes has been prohibited. The digging of new borewells within 500 metres of public drinking water sources is also banned. Borewells dug in violation of the order may be seized or sealed.

The administration has further restricted unrestricted groundwater extraction for commercial activities and irrigation from existing private wells and borewells located within a one-kilometre radius or designated influence zone of public drinking water sources.

The commercial sale and transportation of groundwater through tankers will also require prior permission from the competent authority. The measure aims to prevent uncontrolled extraction and ensure that water remains available for essential public needs.

In another step to curb illegal drilling, owners of all borewell drilling rigs operating in the district must register their machinery with the concerned sub-divisional magistrate or tehsildar within 30 days. Equipment used for unauthorised drilling may be seized.

Sub-divisional officers, tehsildars, block development officers and police personnel have been authorised to inspect sites, seize equipment and disconnect electricity connections to enforce the restrictions.

Violations could invite criminal proceedings, including fines and imprisonment, under the groundwater management law.