Delhi Water Minister Atishi Raises Alarm Over Severe Water Crisis, Alleges Haryana's Role

Haryana's Water Supply to Delhi Allegedly Reduced

On Saturday, Atishi, the city government's Water Minister, said that Haryana is not giving Delhi its share of 1,050 cusecs of water through the Munak canal. Residents in areas like Chanakyapuri were seen climbing on top of a water tanker with pipes to get their share, as the national capital grapples with a severe water shortage. The problem has become acute, with Atishi blaming Haryana for not releasing Yamuna water to the city.

Decreased Water Supply Figures

In a press conference, she explained that usually, during the summer, Haryana releases 1,050 cusecs, and Delhi gets about 995 cusecs after some water is lost. However, in the past week, the water reaching Delhi has dropped: 924 cusecs on June 1, 884 cusecs on June 4, 856 cusecs on June 6, and only 840 cusecs on June 7. Atishi said that around 59 to 60 cusecs of water are lost to evaporation every summer. Since only 840 cusecs are reaching Delhi now, it means Haryana is not releasing enough water into the Munak canal.

Supreme Court's Directive on Water Shortage

The Supreme Court observed on Thursday that the acute water shortage in Delhi has become an "existential problem" and directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national capital and Haryana to facilitate its flow.

Declining Yamuna Water Levels at Wazirabad

On Friday, she said, "If the water level falls so low, how will the water treatment plants supply water to the people of Delhi?" The water level of the Yamuna at Wazirabad had come down from 671 feet on June 2 to 669.7 feet.

Allegations of Conspiracy and Assessing the Situation

Atishi alleged that Haryana is conspiring against the people of Delhi behind the back of the Supreme Court. On Friday, while visiting Wazirabad barrage to assess the situation, she stated that even if Himachal Pradesh releases water, the shortage would not be solved as Haryana had "reduced" the city's share.

Impending Shortage and Supreme Court's Emphasis

She mentioned that if water levels in the carrier-lined channel and the two sub-branches of the Munak canal remain this low, all of Delhi will face a shortage in the next two days. The Supreme Court emphasized that there should be no politics over water.