The national capital is reeling under an intense water crisis, leaving many parts of Delhi, especially Sultanpuri, Rohini, and Kirari, dry and thirsty. The situation is such that the Wazirabad barrage, upstream of the Yamuna, has been reduced to small rivulets.
Following the crisis, the state has sought help from the Haryana government. The Delhi government wants Haryana to provide additional water for the next four weeks or else the water supply could be severely disrupted, according to reports.
Delhi is receiving approximately 1,050 cusecs of water from the Haryana, Bhakra, and Yamuna systems. Officials say that if an additional 250 cusecs of water is received, the current crisis could be significantly alleviated.
A month ago, the Delhi government made serious efforts to obtain 151 cusecs of water from Haryana. In a meeting held in Chandigarh in the first week of March between the officials of Delhi Jal Board and Haryana Irrigation Department, the Jal Board demanded an additional 100 cusecs of water, in derogation of the May 1994 water-sharing agreement, and 51 cusecs of water from its irrigation quota.
Water level plunges
The water level at the Wazirabad reservoir plunged to 668.7 feet on Monday, while 674.5 feet is required for normal operation, according to the Indian Express. The water level at many points of the 500 m channel is only knee-high in some places, exposing sand beds. It is from the barrage that water is being supplied to the two largest plants in the city — Wazirabad and Chandrawal. Of this, the water treatment at the Wazirabad plant has dropped by 34 per cent, while other plants in the capital are also operating at approximately 10 per cent less capacity. Only the Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi plants are currently operating normally.
The water crisis is deepening in Sultanpuri, Rohini, and Kirari, with some areas reporting water supply disruption for the past two days . According to local media reports, Ranikheda and Rasulpur villages, along with seven surrounding colonies, have been without water for two days.
