New Delhi, May 31, 2024: As Delhi and surrounding temperatures soar to around 50 degrees Celsius, Delhi, the national capital, is grappling with an acute water shortage, worsening the impact of a relentless heatwave.
In response, the Delhi government has petitioned the Supreme Court, urging it to direct Haryana to release surplus water from Himachal Pradesh to the capital.
The plea, filed by advocate Shadan Farasat, as reported by Bar and Bench, highlights the critical need for immediate water relief through the Wazirabad barrage. With temperatures pushing the mercury to unprecedented levels, the city’s water crisis has intensified, causing frequent supply cuts that disrupt daily life for millions of residents.
The Delhi government emphasised the urgent necessity of routing additional water through Haryana, given that Himachal Pradesh does not share a direct boundary with Delhi. The plea seeks a temporary solution to alleviate the crisis rather than a resolution of any ongoing inter-state water disputes or demands for increased water supply.
The water levels at the primary sources in the outskirts of Delhi, Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi barrages are already at maximum capacity, the government noted. Despite repeated requests, Haryana has yet to agree to assist, prompting the current legal action. The plea highlights the critical nature of the situation, emphasising that Delhi hosts a workforce essential to the nation’s operations.
Amidst this crisis, thousands of residents are seen desperately waiting for water tankers in the scorching heat, hoping to fill at least one bucket. Media reports depict long lines and chaotic scenes as people scramble for water, with some resorting to climbing atop tankers to secure their share.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to set aside political differences and collaborate on resolving the water crisis. “In this scorching heat, the water demand has increased significantly, while the supply from neighbouring states has decreased. We must come together to address this issue,” Kejriwal stated on social media platform X. He urged BJP leaders to negotiate with their governments in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to secure additional water for Delhi, emphasizing the collective effort needed to provide relief to the capital’s residents.
Delhi’s long-standing water stress is compounded by its reliance on neighbouring states. According to the Business Standard newspaper, The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) produces 1,000 million gallons per day (MGD) against a daily demand of 1,290 MGD, with the deficit met by groundwater reserves.
The scarcity of clean water disproportionately affects marginalized communities, leading to reliance on unsafe sources and subsequent waterborne diseases. Insufficient supply also impacts the maintenance of public toilets and sewage systems, increasing the risk of health issues like cholera.
