Delhi Water Crisis with Rise in Temperature
Since the last week of May, Delhi has been facing extensive weather conditions due to the rise of temperature at its highest. Indian Meteorological Department has released a report that Delhi’s 52.9 degrees Celsius on 29th May 2024 is the highest temperature noted in the nation to date. It not only raises concern for the Delhi population but also has affected the while nation.
There are several reasons that have led to the rise in temperature at this rate worldwide, which include the aspect of global warming. It has not only led to the rise of temperature but also prolonged drought situations worldwide.
Delhi Water Crisis Situation
One of the primary issues which have bene created with the climate change issues and global warming worldwide has been the lack of water. Delhi water crisis situation has been the talk of the nation for the past fortnight, given the heat stroke occurring in the city.
The groundwater level of Delhi has fallen beyond replenishment currently which has led the people to suffer immensely. Also, the rise in population of the state has led 25 million people in the city’s heart to face the crisis of water. As per a report, 1296 million gallons of water are needed per day in Delhi, whereas only 977 million gallons each day have been received by the country, as per the Delhi Jal Board.
Every summer, the groundwater table falls, which leaves it to deal with the water crisis. However, this year, it has affected the governance as well, due to which the administration had to act to deal with the Delhi water crisis by a plea to the Supreme Court.
Government Involves Supreme Court to Help Mitigate Delhi Water Crisis
Delhi government has requested the SC to direct neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal and Punjab to release more water kept as surplus to help mitigate the situation of the Delhi water crisis as the states have denied their requests previously.
The request has been made to the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh as they are the primary sources of water for Delhi. Supreme court had asked the Upper Yamuna River Board to convene on 5th June for a meeting on the issue to resolve the Delhi water crisis situation.
Supreme Court Ruling on Delhi Water Crisis Situation
After reviewing the plea by the Delhi Government, the SC has ruled for the mitigation and has asked Himachal to release surplus water to the national capital immediately to deal with the situation. The court has directed the HP government to release water by 7th June with prior notice to the Haryana administration and has asked the Haryana government to take action to oversee that the distribution of the released water by Himachal is undisturbed.
To be precise, it has directed the respective state to release 137 cusecs of the excess water to the capital through the Wazirabad barrage. The ruling was placed by the justices KV Vishwanathan and Prashant Kumar Mishra, who oversaw the plea and directed as best to help the Delhi water crisis situation.
Along with the direction to the Haryana and Himachal Pradesh administrations, it has also directed the government of Delhi to see that water wastage is alleviated during the process, as one of the primary causes of the water crisis in the state is due to the leakages in the distribution networks of the state.
The SC bench has mentioned in the ruling that the water release by HP to Delhi should be free of inference from pollical influence and the next hearing for the matter of the Delhi water crisis has been set for 10th June 2024.
