India, April 23 -- A scorching summer combined with rising consumption driven by rapid urbanisation has led to a sharp decline in water levels across parts of Maharashtra, raising concerns about the state's water security.

Within the last fortnight alone, the number of tankers meeting water needs in the state rose 2.5 times - from 223 to 580. With the summer advancing and temperatures hitting record new highs every so often, the average water stock available in the state's dams is only 37.96%.

Sources in the government say that an increase in consumption during the summer months is not the only reason for falling water stocks; summers are getting hotter, year on year, leading to greater evaporation in the state's reservoirs. This has be...