No Holi `rain dance` in Maharashtra this year

Mumbai: In view of the acute scarcity of water in the state, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday issued directions to prevent wastage of water.

The Devendra Fadnavis-led state government has decided not to provide water for "rain dance" on Holi this year.

Swimming pools in the state will also be not provided water, the government decided.

The government will issue directions to all municipal corporations in this regard.

Maharashtra is facing a third drought in four years – As per official government statistics, 3,228 farmers in the state ended their lives in 2015, the highest ever in the state’s history.