As the temperature rises in Uttarakhand during the summer months, the state is facing a severe water shortage exacerbated by lower rainfall and snowfall in recent winters. In response to this crisis, the state government has imposed a ban on washing cars using water to conserve this precious resource.

During a virtual meeting on Saturday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed all District Magistrates to ensure that cars are "dry washed" in workshops instead of using water. The water scarcity issue is particularly acute in Uttarakhand, with six cities, including Dehradun, experiencing severe water shortages.

Uttarakhand Secretary Arvind Hyanki informed the Chief Minister that 317 villages and 148 urban areas facing severe water shortages have been identified. The districts of Dehradun, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Didihat, Kotdwar, and Champawat have been the focus of complaints regarding water scarcity, while additional areas like Nawada, Haripur, Majri Mafi, Mohkampur, and Badripur have also reported shortages, leading residents to rely on water tankers for survival.

In response to the urgent situation, BJP leader NK Gusain has called for a prompt resolution to the water crisis and raised concerns about the delays in water supply to certain areas, such as the Madhuban Colony of Majri Mafi.

The state government has identified a decline in water flow in multiple rivers, aside from those originating from glaciers, and has already pinpointed ten such rivers for potential revival efforts. District Magistrates have been tasked with developing action plans for rejuvenating these rivers and identifying more candidates for revival if feasible.

Furthermore, preparations are underway in Uttarakhand for a water conservation campaign that will align with the national initiative scheduled to run from June 1 to June 7, in conjunction with World Water Day on June 1. The theme for World Water Day 2024 is 'Water for Peace'. Chief Minister Dhami emphasized the importance of water conservation and announced plans to implement rainwater harvesting and solar energy systems in all government buildings to address the ongoing challenge of drinking water scarcity in the state. He stressed the necessity of enhancing preparations to ensure a sustainable water supply for the future.

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