Water crisis looms as rains play truant in Gujarat

As the days go by with little or no rain, Gujarat seems to be hurtling towards a serious drinking water crisis. With most parts of the state having received less than adequate rains so far, the situation in key reservoirs in the state is worsening with every passing day.

As per data provided by the state control room on Monday, Gujarat has received only 24.37% of the season's average rain till date, which was 31.47% as on July 19, 2009. The Kutch region has received 36.98%, north Gujarat 18.57%, Saurashtra 42.39% and south Gujarat 21.92% of their average rain so far.

Currently, north Gujarat’s 15 key reservoirs have only 8.16% of their total water capacity. This figure is 25.99% for south Gujarat's 13 key reservoirs, 9.71% for Kutch's 20 key reservoirs, and 22.74% for Saurashtra's 132 key reservoirs. The drinking water crisis in north Gujarat and Saurashtra is becoming serious. Recently, a delegation from Rajkot met chief minister Narendra Modi and requested for more drinking water for Rajkot city.

“The drinking water situation is worsening with every passing day. Though Saurashtra has received good rains, due to the lack of force, water is not reaching dams. We are hence, having trouble supplying sufficient water to the reservoirs. If we do not get good rains in the next 15 days, the crisis will intensify,” said a top official.