India, Oct. 13 -- Nearly 75% of Maharashtra's talukas have been declared drought-affected, prompting authorities to introduce water restrictions across several districts.

Pune will suspend water supply every Thursday from October 15 to conserve reserves and help ensure availability until August 2027.

Nagpur has banned the drilling of new borewells and the deepening of existing ones to protect groundwater resources.

In Marathwada, drinking water has been prioritised over irrigation, with industries directed to reuse 30% of the water they consume.

Medium irrigation projects in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar region hold just 21.12% of their capacity, compared with 76.23% during the same period last year.

Cities and districts across Mahar...