Delhi water crisis: CM Kejriwal appeals to Centre, Army takes control of water canal

With water supply to the national capital under threat amid the ongoing Jat quota agitation, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday appealed to the Centre with 'folded hands' to immediately intervene and resume water supply from Munak Canal in Haryana.

On Twitter, the chief minister said, "We've completely run out of water. I appeal to the centre with folded hands to immediately intervene and get Munak canal started in Haryana."

"Gud news. Army takes control of munak canal gates.Trying to assess in how much time water wud reach Del n whether any damage done to canal lining. Will keep u updated," he added.

The Munak canal in Haryana, which supplies water to many parts of Delhi, was shut down after it was vandalised by a section of Jats demanding quota in government jobs and educational institutions.

CNN-IBN tweeted that the army and Rapid Action Force have taken control of the Munak canal.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that with the national capital's water supply badly hit, Delhites are likely to face tough times in the coming days.

"So! dry day starts from today? No water supply at my home this morning. No hope to get water in Munak Canal. Tough days ahead for Delhi," he tweeted.

The Supreme Court today would be hearing Delhi government's petition seeking Centre's intervention for uninterrupted supply of water.

The areas affected due to the closure of plants are West Delhi, North-West, Central, South and part of North Delhi. "Against the total production of 820 million gallons per day (MGD) of potable water, only 240 MGD is being produced, because of the disruption of the supply source from Haryana. Delhi Jal Board's (DJB's) tanker fleet has been fully redirected to the water deficient areas. The situation at Wazirabad is being constantly monitored. In this emergent situation, the people of Delhi are requested to use water with the utmost care," a statement by the DJB said.

Delhi has nine water treatment plants. Of these, only Sonia Vihar and Bhagirathi, which are fed by water from Uttar Pradesh, are operational.

Earlier on Sunday, Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra termed the water crisis in the national capital as "unprecedented" and warned that the situation might worsen in the next few days if the supply from Haryana was not immediately restored.

He informed that the DJB had almost run out of water and advised people to use water judiciously.

Mishra on Saturday had held an emergency meeting with DJB officials and decided to rationalise water supply till the situation is normal.