New Delhi: As the national capital faces water shortage due to unprecedented summer heat with temperatures hovering around the 50 degrees Celsius mark in parts of the city, the Delhi government held an emergency meet on Thursday regarding the water crisis. The meeting was attended by Water Minister Atishi, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, the chief secretary and other senior officers, they said.

After the meeting, Atishi announced that the government has set up a war room in Delhi Jal Board for water tanker supply in areas of shortage. She said, “The war room will be headed by a senior IAS officer. Those who need a water tanker in their area can call on number '1916'. From June 5, in all 11 water zones of Delhi, one ADM level and SDM level officer will be stationed to make quick response teams to resolve any water shortage issues. Special teams of the electricity department of Delhi Jal Board are also being constituted to ensure that no borewell malfunctions. 200 enforcement teams being made to ensure that there is no wastage of water.”

Atishi had alleged shortage in water supply due to the share of Delhi in Yamuna being stopped by Haryana.

Earlier on Wednesday, the AAP government announced a fine of Rs 2000 on wastage of water and formed 200 teams to enforce the penalty. It has also taken measures like running tubewells in double shifts and using water tankers to supply water in affected areas due to the shortage.

In a note to the DJB's chief executive officer, Atishi said," These teams will be deployed from 8 am on Thursday and impose fines on anyone found wasting water. These teams will disconnect any illegal water connections at construction sites or commercial establishments."

The minister said intense heatwave conditions are prevailing in the national capital and there is a shortage of water supply since Haryana is not releasing Delhi's share of water.

"Under these circumstances, conservation of water becomes extremely important. However, it has been seen that there is serious wastage of water in many parts of Delhi," she said.

Also, there are illegal connections of domestic supply at construction sites and commercial establishments, the minister said, adding that there is a need to crack down on such misuse of water.

In a post on X, she informed about the crackdown on wastage of water in the coming days, saying illegal connections of domestic supply at construction sites and commercial establishments will be disconnected.

Atishi on Tuesday accused Haryana of not releasing the city's share of water since May 1 and said the Delhi government will be implementing a slew of measures including rationalising the supply of water in the national capital.

She said the Delhi government may approach the Supreme Court if the supply of Yamuna water to the city does not improve in the coming days.

"The water level at Wazirabad was 674.5 feet on May 1. This is the average level that should be maintained. Last year in April, May, and June, the minimum level was maintained at 674.5 feet," Atishi said on Tuesday.

Sharing data, the minister said till May 8, the water level at Wazirabad came down to 672 feet and by May 20 it was at 671 feet. On Tuesday, it declined further to 669.8 feet, she said.

(with Agency inputs)