The monsoon rains in Maharashtra's Nashik have rejuvinated the reservoirs and Godavari River.
For the drought-scarred district of Nashik, this week has brought long-awaited relief. With several parts of Maharashtra receiving record rainfall since Sunday, the Godavari is flowing and reservoirs are full.
"Till end of June, the 23 medium and major dams in Nashik district were only 9 per cent full. But within three days, from July 9 to July 12, the heavy rainfall has filled them till 29 per cent. That's a 20 per cent rise in just a few hours," said the Ramakrishna B, Collector of Nashik district.
The once-parched Godavari, is not just flowing now, but brimming. "There wasn't even enough water to float the ashes of the dead last year when the drought hit Godavari. We had heard of such a drought only a hundred years ago. Seeing the water flow makes us happy," said a local priest of Nashik city.
Tourists and locals were seen rejoicing by taking dips and swimming in the Godavari at Ramkund, on Tuesday, after the rain's intensity reduced considerably.
"I am here with my family from Bengaluru. Initially the rains were a little difficult to handle but now the weather is beautiful and we are enjoying this auspicious place," said Chandrakant Bhatt, a Sanskrit Professor from Bengaluru.
Mumbai is also not behind. The city has already received 35 to 42 per cent of its annual quota of rainfall, and in one day's rain, the city has received 36 days' worth of water supply with lake levels rising to 70 per cent of what their levels were previously, officials said.