Delhi heatwave alert till May 28: Water shortage hits Dwarka, Vasant Kunj and North Delhi
PTC Web Desk: Delhi continued to face intense heat on Friday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) extended its orange alert for heatwave conditions till May 28. At the same time, several parts of the Capital reported water shortage, forcing residents to rely on private water tankers and packaged drinking water.
According to IMD data, the maximum temperature at Safdarjung, the city’s base station, reached 43.3 degrees Celsius, while the minimum settled at 29.3 degrees Celsius. The Ridge area recorded the highest temperature at 44.4 degrees Celsius.
Despite the scorching conditions, Delhi did not officially qualify for a heatwave under IMD norms. A heatwave is declared when the temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius and remains at least 4.5 degrees above normal, or when it crosses 45 degrees Celsius in plains.
The weather department has predicted that the maximum temperature on Saturday may stay between 43 and 45 degrees Celsius. Between May 24 and 28, temperatures are likely to remain between 44 and 46 degrees Celsius. Officials said nearby regions, including Haryana and Chandigarh, are also expected to experience severe heatwave conditions.
As temperatures rise, complaints about water supply have increased from several areas, including Vasant Vihar, Dwarka, Moti Bagh and parts of north Delhi.
Officials said Delhi’s water demand during peak summer touches nearly 1,250 million gallons per day (MGD), while the average supply remains around 1,000 MGD. The shortage becomes more severe during heatwaves because of increased consumption and water loss due to evaporation.
In north Delhi, residents also complained of reduced supply duration and poor water pressure.
Residents in Dwarka Sector 10 said apartment societies are now depending heavily on private water tankers.
Similar concerns were raised by residents in Moti Bagh.
Delhi Jal Board officials admitted that water supply is under pressure due to reduced raw water availability from upstream sources.
An official said nearly 1,000 water tankers have been deployed across Delhi and around 6,500 tanker trips are being carried out daily through nearly 13,000 distribution points to manage the situation.
The official added that efforts are being made to improve the supply situation at the earliest.
The crisis has also affected plans to increase water production at the Wazirabad treatment plant. Officials said higher ammonia levels in the Yamuna recently disrupted water treatment operations and impacted raw water quality.
- With inputs from agencies
