Pune, July 16 Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar today sounded a word of caution to officials and citizens vis-a-vis the depleting water levels in dams. Pointing out that the water levels in dams in the district are fast sinking, Pawar said that if it does not rain by July 31, the Irrigation Department will be forced to introduce a 50-60 per cent water cut. "The water levels in dams are at an all-time low, lower than they have been in the past several years. If it does not rain till July 31, we might have to think about further cuts in water supply,' he said at a function at S M Joshi auditorium to mark the 37th foundation day of the Ground Water Surveys and Development Agency (GSDA). He said that water cuts are inevitable as the dams supplying water to Pune have stock to last only for six months and the Pavana dam supplying water to Pimpri-Chinchwad has stocks that will last only five months. He lamented that people realise the value of water only when they face a drought situation. Pawar said that many villages in the State have failed to benefit from various water development schemes of the government. He said residents in many villages across the State opposed projects meant to improve the water supply situation. Stressing that the farmers in the State were a lot relieved with the loan waiver given by the Central government, he said that the farmers have unfortunately been hit by poor rainfall; their fields are drying up and they were under stress again. "The water supply situation is also becoming acute as the water needs of villages have increased manifold these days. The government is planning to implement several schemes in villages to build toilets and improve sanitation facilities. This has increased the water needs of villagers from 40 litres per person per day to 70 litres per person per day,' he added.