Delhi Water Crisis: Atishi seeks emergency meeting with LG

Delhi Water Crisis: Amidst the acute water crisis at several locations in the national capital, Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Sunday said she has sought time from Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena for an emergency meeting over the “inadequate” amount of water being released by Haryana through the Munak Canal, one of the primary sources of potable water for the city.

In a post on X, the minister said Delhi is supposed to receive 1,050 cusecs of water from the canal but it has reduced to only 840 cusecs.

“Have sought time from the Hon’ble @LtGovDelhi for an emergency meeting, to apprise him of the inadequate water being released by Haryana from the Munak Canal.

“Delhi is supposed to receive 1050 cusecs of water from the Munak Canal via the CLC and DSB sub-canals. However, this has reduced to 840 cusecs. 7 Water Treatment Plants are dependent on this water. If the amount of water does not increase today, then the water situation across Delhi will worsen in 1-2 days,” she said in the post.

Also read: Delhi Water Crisis: SC directs HP to release surplus water, Haryana should not obstruct

Amid rising temperatures, Delhi has been facing a water shortage.

“Hon’ble @LtGovDelhi is the representative of the Central Govt. Will be requesting him to intervene and resolve the situation,” she said.

Meanwhile on June 6, the Supreme Court addressed the urgent water shortage in Delhi and directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of water to meet the drinking water needs of the national capital amid a severe heatwave affecting the northern Indian plains.

On June 3, Atishi also reached out to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Haryana’s Acting Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, requesting an additional water supply for the national capital for a month due to an ongoing water crisis.

Atishi emphasized that Delhi is facing an unprecedented water shortage this year, with demand surging significantly amidst a heatwave.

“With temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius, Delhi’s water resources are severely strained. To address this crisis, we urgently need Haryana to release additional water into the Yamuna River as soon as possible,” she stated in her letter to the Haryana CM on May 31.

(With inputs from PTI)