Delhi water crisis: As Delhi braces itself for a shortage of water in various parts of the national capital, the Delhi Government will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday at the Delhi Secretariat to address the issue.
This announcement came after reports of severe water crises surfaced from various parts of the city, where residents have had to wait for hours in a long queue for water tankers. The national capital is facing water shortage due to unprecedented summer heat with temperatures hovering around the 50 degrees Celsius mark in parts of the city.
Locals facing water scarcity in national capital
Speaking with media, the residents of the Geeta Colony in the East Delhi district have raised concerns regarding the inadequate supply of water from the government. They also complain that the government only provides half the needed amount. Vinay, a resident of Geeta Colony, told media, "We are facing a severe water crisis. Our locality has a population of around 3,000-4,000 people, but the government sends only half the required number of tankers."
"Although a tanker comes daily, but in this scorching heat, the demand for water has significantly increased. Sometimes, they reduce the amount of water in the tanker, due to which we suffer a lot. While in the absence of tankers, the wealthier residents can buy water, but the poorer ones cannot, due to which they have to drink dirty water, which leads to illness," he added.
He further asserted, "We have complained to the MLA of the area multiple times, but we have never received a valid response. No one is listening to us."An elderly resident shared, "I usually come after 10-15 days, sometimes even a month, but as always, I don't get water."
Shabru Khatun, a resident of the colony, said, "There are a lot of problems regarding water in this area. We get only one tanker for the entire area. The tanker water is used for drinking and cooking purposes. Sometimes, we don't even get the tanker, and we are forced to buy bottled water."
What are the affected areas amid water scarcity in Delhi?
As part of a water rationing strategy announced by Water Minister Atishi on Tuesday (May 28), several neighborhoods in South Delhi will now receive water only once daily instead of twice. This decision affects areas like- Greater Kailash, Lajpat Nagar, Panchsheel Park, Hauz Khas, Chittaranjan Park, and nearby locations. The change will remain in effect until the water supply situation improves.
"I know that where water is being supplied twice a day, people will be troubled if it is cut off for once a day, but I appeal to all Delhiites that we should not think only about ourselves. We should think about everyone," minister Atishi said.
North and South West Delhi, including Mehrauli and Chattarpur, are also facing significant water challenges this summer amid a prolonged heatwave in northwest India as temperature in outskirts of Delhi soared closer to 50 degrees. The situation has been exacerbated by Haryana's cessation of Yamuna water releases to Delhi since the beginning of May, the minister claimed.
What are the main sources of water in Delhi?
The sources of water are the Yamuna river, Ganga water from Uttar Pradesh, water from Haryana, tubewells and Ranney wells. Disruption of supply from these sources is frequent and is particularly acute in the summer.
Emergency meeting over water scarcity
The Delhi government will today (May 30) hold an emergency meeting regarding the water crisis that the city is facing amid a prevailing heatwave, officials said. The meeting, to be held at noon, will be attended by Water Minister Atishi, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, the chief secretary and other senior officers, they said.
Atishi has alleged shortage in water supply due to the share of Delhi in Yamuna being stopped by Haryana.
Fine on water wastage in Delhi
The Delhi government on Wednesday (May 29) has announced that a fine of Rs 2,000 will be imposed on water-wasting activities like washing vehicles with a hose and using domestic water supply for construction and commercial purposes amid unprecedented summer heat.
Water Minister Atishi has directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to deploy 200 teams across the city to prevent wastage of water. It has also taken measures like running tubewells in double shifts and using water tankers to supply water in affected areas due to the shortage.
Scorching heat is one of the major cause behind water scarcity
Explaining the reason behind the scorching heat in the outskirts of Delhi, Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet Weather, said, "In open areas with vacant land, there is increased radiation. Direct sunlight and lack of shade make these regions exceptionally hot."
Palawat added that when wind blows from the west, it affects these outlying areas first in Delhi contributing to rise in temperature. Kuldeep Srivastava, the regional head of IMD, said the city's outskirts are the first areas to be hit by hot winds from Rajasthan.
Severe weather conditions
"Parts of Delhi are particularly susceptible to the early arrival of these hot winds, worsening the already severe weather. Areas like Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh are the first to experience the full force of these hot winds," he said.
Open areas and barren land are contributing to higher temperatures due to increased radiation, said IMD's Charan Singh.
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