Falling Kathauta level triggers water worry

Lucknow: Drinking water crisis is looming over trans-Gomti areas as the water level at Kathauta jheel, which supplies water to over 10 lakh residents of Indiranagar, Gomtinagar and Chinhat, has dropped from around 15 feet to 8 feet 10 inches.

Total demand of the areas affected is 80 million litres daily (MLD). However, the Jalkal is able to supply only 65 MLD with little water in the lake and tubewells. Officials said that the major portion of the supply is through the lake. At the current level, supply can be maintained for only about seven more days if fresh water is not released into the reservoir.

The irrigation department had suspended water supply from the Sharda canal on May 14 for 30 days to carry out annual cleaning and maintenance work ahead of the Kharif sowing season.

To conserve water, the department has reduced supply hours and pressure. Water is currently being supplied from 6 am to 10 am and from 6 pm to 10 pm. In normal days, the areas get 20-hour supply. Officials warned that any breakdown in tube wells could worsen the situation.

Executive engineer, Jalkal, Amrendra Singh said the department had asked the irrigation department to release water by June 14. “If water is released at full pressure, it will take around two days to reach Kathauta Jheel, while low-pressure release may take up to four days. We cannot afford any more delay,” he said.

Executive engineer, irrigation, Mukesh Kumar Vaish said the department had not yet received the official communication from Jalkal. “We are making sure that water reaches Kathauta by June 15 so there will be no crisis,” he added.