India, June 17 -- With water stock in dams across Maharashtra at just 24.41% and forecasters warning of a weak and delayed monsoon this year, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday directed officials to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply across the state till August next year.

"We need to plan use of water in such a way that drinking water is available for people till August next year. This should be among our top priorities," Fadnavis told officials during a cabinet meeting to review the state's water situation, sources said.

The directive came days after the state government barred the use of dam water for irrigation, with an eye on conserving drinking water until fresh inflows replenish reservoirs.

While the statewide s...