India, Oct. 7 -- With water stocks in Beed's reservoirs falling to 16.38% amid worsening drought conditions, the district administration has ordered round-the-clock security at all 164 large, medium and small dams to prevent illegal water lifting and protect drinking-water sources.

"We have noticed more than 2,000 cases of illegal water lifting and theft. To protect water for drinking purposes, we have instructed local bodies to make security arrangements at all dams," said Beed district collector Vivek Johnson.

The security arrangements will focus on preventing illegal pumping, unauthorised water lifting, pipeline damage and other forms of unauthorised withdrawal, particularly from reservoirs supplying drinking water to villages and to...