Water tankers will be available on demand from the Jal Board's helpline.
Water tankers will be available on demand from the Jal Board's helpline.

New Delhi: The Delhi Jal Board announced a water shortage in various districts of the national capital until November 1 due to high ammonia levels in the Yamuna River.

Several regions of east, northeast, and south Delhi, as well as territories administered by the New Delhi Municipal Council, will be affected, according to the report.

“The Upper Ganga Canal in Muradnagar, Uttar Pradesh, provides raw water to Delhi’s 110 MGD (million meters per day) its condition Water Treatment Plant (WTP), and 141 MGD Sonia Vihar WTP.” The Upper Ganga Canal was blocked from Haridwar on October midnight due to scheduled yearly repair by the University of Uttar Pradesh irrigation government from October 12 to 31, according to the Jal Board.

 As a result, Ganga water delivery to these WTPs has been discontinued,” it added.

Until October 31, the WTPs rely on the Yamuna as a second source of raw water. However, the Delhi Jal Board stated that treating the Yamuna’s raw water is challenging due to its high ammonia concentration, which exceeds 1.5 ppm.

“Therefore, employment at Bhagirathi and Shanti Vihar has been reduced by up to 30%. Furthermore, production would be wholly dependent on the quality of raw water in the Yamuna, and output from these facilities would vary accordingly,” it noted.

The Jal Board has recommended Delhi residents to stockpile sufficient amounts of water in advance, based on their needs, and to utilize water wisely. Water tankers will be supplied on demand through the Jal Board’s helpline or central control room, the statement added.