Indian gov't to send fact-finding team to drought-hit Maharashtra

India's federal government said on Saturday it would send a fact-finding team to asses depleting ground water situation in drought-hit Latur district of Maharashtra state.

"We are daily hearing about the drought like situation in Latur and I have asked our secretary to get a fact-finding report from there," India's Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti told reporters here.

"A team of central water commission will visit the area to find ways to overcome this problem."

Ground water level in Maharashtra's several drought-hit areas have dipped at an alarming level. The worst hit is Latur district, about 470 km east of Mumbai city, the state's capital.

The water scarcity has affected agriculture and drinking water supplies to the residents. Local authorities have pressed in 2,300 water tankers in the worst-affected Beed, Latur and Osmanabad districts to ensure people get drinking water.

Reports say water tankers visit affected areas once a week and locals receive tap water once in a month.

The police officials in the affected areas fearing violence over water have imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 (government order) as "precautionary" measure around water sources. The order prohibits assembly of more than four persons in public place.

In drought-hit Marathwada region, officials say dams in the region are left with just 5 percent of water.

Meanwhile, Indian railways has decided to transport water to the area in the upcoming summer. The railways according to officials has decided to keep two goods trains ready to carry water supplies to the affected region.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week urged people across India to conserve and save water. Endit