Water level low,Rajasthan plans extreme measures

With close to 70 per cent of Rajasthans dams and reservoirs running dry and a below normal rainfall pattern across the state

With close to 70 per cent of Rajasthans dams and reservoirs running dry and a below normal rainfall pattern across the state,the government has been forced to take extreme steps to handle an impending water crisis. The measures include taking over private bore and tube wells,reduced water supply in several districts and perhaps even the sanctioning of more water trains.

Monsoons might have begun,but water level in Rajasthans dams and reservoirs is far worse than in summers. Records show that as of July 18,water level was down from close to 12,500 million cubic metres (mcm) to 2,761.53 mcm,a bare 22 per cent of the capacity of the states dams and reservoirs. Moreover,a recent survey on groundwater says 90 per cent of the 237 blocks are overexploited.

Water Resources Minister Mahipal Maderna admitted to the severe water crisis. The scanty rainfall this monsoon has led to a severe water problem. The government is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and an emergency plan has been put in place, he said.

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The plan includes the government taking over private borewells and tubewells to ensure better water distribution,a decreased water supply interval in certain districts and a request to the Railways to prepare trains to transport water.

While Tonk and Ajmer districts now receive water once every 120 hours,worse hit Barmer,Nagaur and Bhilwara get water only once a week. Water Resources Department officials said the all- important Bisalpur Dam in Tonk that supplies water to Jaipur was all but dry. Records show the dam,with a capacity of 1,095 mcm,had only 3.71 mcm,a mere 0.34 per cent of actual capacity,on July 18 . Sources said Jaipur would get water from Bisalpur only till July 31 if monsoons did not improve.

According to the Met Department,of five of the states 33 districts received scanty rainfall while 16 have got a deficit rainfall so far. Incidentally,Jaisalmer had abnormal rainfall this year,which even led to a flood situation.