Nagpur: Despite less rain in 2017 that left dams depleted, water level in reservoirs of the region as on Monday was almost same as last year. The savings could happen only due to curtailment on irrigation front. Irrigation was limited to barely a couple of rounds throughout the year in most areas so water could be saved for drinking and other purposes, said sources.There were concerns about supply to Nagpur as Totladoh dam that caters to the city was among the reservoirs where the level was really low.An year on year comparison shows that as on June 18 (Monday), Totladoh is having 62.80 million metre cube (MMC) of water. This comes to 6.18% of the total capacity. Last year, on the same date there was 40.10 MMC water or close to 4%.Government sources said there were major cuts in irrigation with just one round each released in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. In the Nagpur district, there were protests by paddy growers as water was not released from Totladoh dam. Had it not been for that rationing, the dam’s level may have been lower. Under the current situation city’s drinking water needs can be met till July 15 if even if it does not rain well, said a source.Totladoh dam is built on the river Pench that flows from Madhya Pradesh. The supply was cut to nearly half after the Chaurai dam was built on Madhya Pradesh side. The impact was seen in 2016 itself that left water level at 4% in the previous year. There was no cut in irrigation last year which resulted in less water, an official said.Considering the dry spell in 2017 there were cuts in irrigation leading to better savings. Officials dealing with the issue said this year’s experience showed water could be made to last even if rains are low. But to ensure enough water for city, irrigation will have to take a back seat. Totladoh irrigates nearly one lakh acres of land.There was rationing in other dams also. The dams are divided into major, medium and small on the basis of size. There are 18 major dams in Nagpur division which covers Wardha, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Gondia, Gadchiroli and Nagpur district. The average water level as of Monday in these dams is at 12.88%. On the same date last year it was 10%.Situation is somewhat reverse in Amravati division. The storage here was 23% last year while at present it is 21%. West Vidarbha had a major dry spell last year. The level at Katepurna dam has touched 1.18% while last year it was 20%. Bembla dam in Yavatmal had 12% water now as against 23% in 2017. The average level in West Vidarbha’s reservoirs was only marginally lower but the water crisis was at its worse in 2017-18.

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