India, June 15 -- With Maharashtra facing a significant rainfall deficit and declining reservoir levels, water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil on Sunday directed officials to accord the highest priority to ensuring drinking water supply across the state till August 31. Chairing a review meeting on water storage in dams under the Krishna and Godavari river basins held at the Irrigation building, Vikhe-Patil also ordered strict action against illegal water extraction.

"Considering the deficient rainfall and the available water stock in reservoirs, ensuring drinking water supply to citizens till August 31 must be given the highest priority," Vikhe-Patil said.

According to officials, the current live storage in the state's reser...