Water crisis: Gujarat Chief Minister calls high level meeting

To chalk out a comprehensive strategy to cope with water shortage due to a delayed monsoon, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel has called a high level meeting of all officials and ministers tomorrow.
"To take stock of the availability of water resources and plan a strategy to cope with the situation due to shortfall of rain in the state, our CM will hold a high level meeting tomorrow," Gujarat government spokesperson Nitin Patel said here today.
Earlier in the day, the Minister for water resourses, water supply and agriculture Babu Bokhiriya held a meeting with all key officials of his departments to discuss about the water crisis, as several parts of Kutch and Saurashtra were facing acute water shortage due to delayed monsoon.

To ease problems of these areas, the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB) launched a toll free helpline yesterday to bring effective solutions to water supply problems in five districts including Kutch, Amreli, Surendranagar, Jamnagar and Devbhoomi-Dwarka.
Villagers living in these districts can dial the toll free number 1800-200-1400 and register their complaint about water problems in their area.
Adding to the Gujarat government's worries, yesterday's weather department report claimed that monsoon in the state has now been delayed until June 30.
"As per our short-term prediction, there will be little or no rain in Gujarat until 30th June. We will review the situation after that," MET centre director Jayanta Sarkar said.