Delhi's water crisis deepens as Yamuna River hits near-record low

Delhi is grappling with a critical water shortage this summer, with the Yamuna River's water level plummeting to near-record lows. This depletion has forced two of the capital's largest water treatment plants, Wazirabad and Chandrawal, to significantly reduce their capacity.

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Levels at the Wazirabad pond, the reservoir serving the Wazirabad and Chandrawal water treatment plants, dropped to 668.6 feet (above sea level) last week, about five feet below the 674.5-feet operational threshold.

The Wazirabad pond, a crucial reservoir for these plants, has fallen below its operational threshold. This drop directly constrains the raw water supply to the treatment facilities, impacting millions of residents. Water levels at the Wazirabad plant have fallen by 30-40%, and at Chandrawal by 15-20%, according to Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials.

Residents in affected areas, including parts of Rani Khera, Begumpur, and West Patel Nagar, report receiving no water for days or water unfit for consumption. The demand for water tankers has surged, outstripping availability.

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A fall in river level at this point directly constrains supply to both the plants.

While the summer heat exacerbates the problem, Delhi has long suffered from a chronic imbalance between its water infrastructure and the needs of its burgeoning population of 2.3 crore people. The city requires approximately 1,380 million gallons of water per day but receives only about 1,000 MGD.

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The city of 2.3 crore people, on average, requires 1,380 million gallons of water per day (MGD). It gets 1,000 MGD, data by DJB shows.

Authorities are attempting to mitigate the crisis by diverting water from the Munak canal and securing additional releases from Haryana. Excavators have also been deployed to clear the riverbed near the treatment plants' intake points.

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According to DJB officials, water levels at the Wazirabad WTP dropped by 30-40%, and Chandrawal WTP fell 15-20%.