Delhi water crisis news: The water problem has become serious in many areas of Delhi. Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has announced that water supply will be disrupted in some areas for 36 hours. This situation becomes even more worrying in the summer season. People are facing a lot of problems due to lack of water.
There are many reasons behind this problem. The major reasons are the increasing population of Delhi, old water supply system, over-exploitation of water, and low supply of water from neighboring states. DJB has informed that water supply will be affected due to repair work at Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant. Apart from this, increasing pollution levels in Yamuna river are also affecting the quality and quantity of water.
Delhi water crisis: at a glance
Description | Information |
affected area | Many areas of North, Central, South and West Delhi |
water cut period | 36 hours |
main reason | Repair work in Wazirabad water treatment plant |
affected population | about 25 lakh people |
daily water demand | 1,300 million gallons per day (MGD) |
current supply | 990 mgd |
water source | Yamuna River, Ganga River, Ground Water |
solution to the problem | Water conservation, better management, use of new technology |
Main reasons for Delhi water crisis
There are many complex reasons behind the water problem in Delhi. It is important to understand these reasons so that steps can be taken towards solutions:
- Increasing population: The population of Delhi is increasing rapidly, due to which the demand for water is also increasing.
- Old water supply system: The city’s water distribution system is quite old, leading to leakages and losses.
- Over-exploitation of groundwater: The groundwater level is falling rapidly because of uncontrolled exploitation.
- Pollution of Yamuna River: Yamuna River, the main water source of Delhi, is badly polluted.
- Less water from neighboring states: There has been a decrease in the water received by Delhi from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
- Lack of water conservation: There is lack of awareness among people to save water.
Impact on affected areas and people
According to DJB’s announcement, water supply in the following areas will be affected:
- North Delhi: Model Town, Gulabi Bagh, Adarsh Nagar
- Central Delhi: Kamla Nagar, Shahdara
- South Delhi: Lajpat Nagar, South Extension
- West Delhi: Pitampura, Paschim Vihar
About 25 lakh people living in these areas will be affected. People will face shortage of water for drinking, bathing, washing clothes and other household purposes. This problem becomes even more serious during the summer season.
Reasons given by DJB
Delhi Jal Board has given the following reasons for this water crisis:
- Repairs at Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant: This plant is a major source of water supply for Delhi. Its capacity will be reduced during repairs.
- Pollution in Yamuna: Water quality has been affected due to increase in ammonia level in the river.
- Less water supply: There has been a decrease in the water received from Haryana to Delhi.
- Technical glitches: Water supply has been disrupted due to technical problems at some pumping stations.
Preventive measures and suggestions
Citizens of Delhi should adopt some measures to deal with this water crisis:
- Water conservation: Use water carefully at home. Get leaky taps repaired immediately.
- Rainwater harvesting: Install rainwater harvesting system on the roof.
- Water recycling: Filter household dirty water and use it in the garden.
- Awareness: Spread awareness about saving water among neighbors and community.
- Alternative Source: Arrange for an alternative source of water in case of emergency.
Steps taken by the government
Delhi Government and DJB have taken several steps to deal with the water crisis:
- New water treatment plants: New plants are being installed so that the water supply can be increased.
- Pipeline Renovation: Old pipelines are being replaced so that leakages are reduced.
- Ground water recharge: Ground water recharge schemes have been launched across the city.
- Awareness Campaign: Campaigns are being run to encourage people to save water.
- Talks with neighboring states: Talks are on for supply of more water from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
future plans
Delhi government has made some long-term plans to deal with water crisis in future:
- Rejuvenation of Yamuna: Comprehensive plan to make the river pollution free.
- 24×7 water supply: To ensure 24 hours water supply in all areas of the city.
- Smart Metering: Installing smart meters to measure water usage and improve billing.
- Increasing water treatment capacity: Increasing the capacity of existing plants and setting up new plants.
- Alternative Sources: Research on alternative sources such as purifying sea water.
role of citizens
Citizens have an important role in solving Delhi’s water crisis. Some ways people can help:
- use water judiciously
- Report leakage immediately
- Do not take illegal connections
- Promote rain water harvesting
- Educate others about saving water
technical solutions
Modern technology can play an important role in water management:
- Leak Detection System: Smart sensor to detect leakage in pipeline.
- Advanced technology of water purification: New purification technology with low energy consumption.
- IoT based monitoring: Real-time monitoring of water distribution system.
- AI and Big Data: To forecast and better manage water demand.
- Mobile app: To help citizens save water and report problems.
international example
Many cities around the world have adopted innovative solutions to deal with the water crisis. Delhi can learn from:
- Singapore: Wastewater recycling with NEWater technology.
- Israel: Large-scale seawater desalination.
- Tokyo: Reducing leakage from advanced water distribution systems.
- Melbourne: Comprehensive Water Conservation Campaign.
- Barcelona: Smart metering and use of digital technology.
Disclaimer
This article is based on the water crisis of Delhi and the information given in it is for general information purposes. Although utmost care has been taken in preparing this article, the situation may change with time. Readers are advised to visit the official website of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) or contact local authorities for latest updates and accurate information.
Water crisis is a real problem, but its severity and impact can be region-specific. The period of water cut of 36 hours is an estimate and the actual situation may differ. The government and DJB are continuously working to improve the situation. Citizens should remain alert, but there is no need to panic. Judicious use and conservation of water is always a good habit, whether there is an immediate crisis or not.