Delhi Water Crisis Intensifies as DJB Warns Shortage to Persist Until February 4
The national capital is grappling with an escalating water crisis, with the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) issuing a stark warning that supply disruptions are expected to continue until February 4. This alarming situation has been exacerbated by a combination of infrastructure failures and environmental factors, plunging many areas into severe water scarcity.
Critical Plant Shutdowns and Massive Supply Deficit
Currently, only three out of nine major water treatment plants are operating at full capacity, leaving six facilities either non-functional or running at reduced efficiency. This has resulted in a staggering 1000 million gallons per day (MGD) shortfall, affecting vast swathes of the city. The crisis has even reached the administrative heart of Delhi, with Lutyens' Delhi zone experiencing a 45-50% reduction in water supply, as confirmed by NDMC officials.
The Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, the city's largest facility with a capacity of 110 MGD, has been completely shut down. This plant serves critical areas including central, north, south, and New Delhi regions. The closure has severely impacted water availability in the New Delhi Municipal Council zone, Old Delhi, Model Town, and Defence Colony, among others.
Munak Canal Repair and Ammonia Contamination Worsen Crisis
Compounding the problem, unscheduled maintenance on Haryana's Munak canal has drastically reduced raw water supply to Delhi. The Haryana irrigation department notified DJB on January 19 about the canal closure, which is a vital conduit for the capital. This maintenance activity has halved the raw water supply, affecting six key treatment plants:
- Dwarka
- Bawana
- Nangloi
- Haiderpur Phase I
- Haiderpur Phase II
- Haiderpur Phase III
Additionally, high ammonia levels and pollutants in the Yamuna river water forced the temporary suspension of supply from the Wazirabad and Chandrawal Water Treatment Plants on Wednesday. DJB estimates that 25-50% of water production from these plants has been affected, leading to low-pressure supply until conditions improve.
Widespread Impact Across Delhi Neighborhoods
The water shortage has created a domino effect across numerous localities. DJB has listed extensively affected areas under its jurisdiction, including:
- Pitampura and Rohini in north Delhi
- Rajouri Garden and Punjabi Bagh in west Delhi
- Dwarka and IGI Airport in southwest Delhi
- RK Puram and Moti Bagh in south Delhi
- Sadar Bazar and Delhi Cantt in central zones
Other impacted areas include Sarojini Nagar, Shivaji Stadium, ISBT, Delhi Gate, Model Town, ITO, Rajghat, Inderlok, Mangolpuri, Panchkuian Road, and parts of Chanakyapuri. The crisis spans north, northwest, west, southwest, and central Delhi, leaving almost the entire city grappling with water scarcity.
DJB's Response and Public Advisory
In a post on social media platform X, DJB stated, "Due to the temporary disruption in raw water supply by the Haryana Irrigation & W.R. Department, water production has been affected in some parts of Delhi. DJB is closely monitoring the situation and making all possible efforts to rationalize and manage water supply." The board has urged residents to use water judiciously during this critical period while they work to restore normalcy.
The situation remains fluid, with authorities scrambling to address both the immediate shortage and the underlying infrastructure issues. Residents across Delhi are bracing for continued water rationing and supply disruptions as the crisis shows no signs of immediate resolution.
