Overview
- The state government has directed all municipal corporations, municipalities and gram panchayats to implement a minimum 10% reduction in water supply to conserve limited reservoir stocks.
- Drinking water is being prioritised with supplies reserved through August 31, 2027 and a mandatory 10% emergency buffer to be kept in each dam.
- Sewage treatment plants must run at full capacity with treated wastewater reused for gardening, construction and washing, and industries must recycle or reuse at least 30% of their water.
- The Water Resources Department will coordinate with revenue and police teams to patrol reservoirs, seize illegal pumps and curb unauthorised extraction to protect remaining supplies.
- The government has already declared 265 talukas drought-affected under the Trigger-1 criterion and will release irrigation water only after meeting drinking, livestock and fodder needs, with rabi foodgrains and fodder given first priority.