Mumbai: Terming the drought in the state as "terrible," Maharashtra Water Supplies Minister Laxmanrao Dhoble on Monday said the rainfall recorded till July-end was a meagre 24 per cent.
"The state is facing a terrible, difficult drought. It is a cause of concern and the government will seek appropriate funds from the Centre to tackle the situation," Dhoble told reporters.
"In Konkan, the average recorded rainfall is 62 per cent. In Amravati and Nagpur region it is 8 to 29 per cent, in Marathwada it is 8 per cent and in Western Maharashtra it is only 27 per cent," he said.
Water stocks in reservoirs would suffice for drinking, he said. "The water stocks are enough only for drinking. However, at some places, even that would not be sufficient and it will be a problem."
The Minister added that planning would be needed to provide jobs, drinking water and fodder till the end of June, 2013.
He, however, refused to comment when asked to compare this year's situation with 1972, when Maharashtra had faced a severely deficient monsoon.
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