Even with incessant downpours and ample groundwater reserves, Shimla residents have been facing shortage of potable water due to excessive siltation. Water supply has been hit since Monday evening as siltation has increased in Giri and Ashwani rivers, from where water is lifted, while leakage in the main Giri water pipe on Tuesday added to the problem.
According to irrigation and public health department (IPH) officials, accumulated silt at the pumping sources and leakage in the main line reduced water supply to nearly 12-15 MLD on an average, contrary to 37-38 MLD required in the township. Shimla MC commissioner Amarjeet Singh said, "We are only distributors of water that we receive from the IPH department. Giri, Gumma and Ashwani water schemes have been down since past two days. The IPH department may be having its own limitations, but at our end we have been informing residents about lack of supply and we are trying to cater to the population through the MC reservoirs. However, these reservoirs too are fast going empty, he added.
According to MC estimates, the daily requirement of Shimla is around 38-40 MLD of water and it increases during tourist seasons due to rise in floating population. The five major sources from where water is pumped to the city include Churat Nullah, Ashwani, Giri, Gumma and Chair. Since past two days, water crisis has deepened in Chotta Shimla, Kasumpti, Chaura Maidan, Tutu, Boileauganj and other areas.
Post a Comment