Storage level of all water sources depletes alarmingly

Further curtailment in water supply from April 8

Port Blair, Apr 7

   Due to deficit South West monsoon and complete failure of North East monsoon during 2019, the storage level of all water sources including the major sources Dhanikhari Dam has depleted alarmingly. The water level in Dhanikhari dam as of 6^th April (against its full reservoir level of 66 mtrs) is at the lowest during the last 5-6 years and the same is detailed below:-

Year	Level
2015	57.34 m
2016	58.13 m
2017	59.14 m
2018	57.15 m
2019	60.74 m
2020	53.30 m

    As is evident from the above table, the current water level is lower by 7.30 mtrs compared to the corresponding period of last year. Daily reduction level is 15 cms and in view of this, existing water level at the dam can hardly sustain the supply till 12^th of May 2020. On account of this, the available water source needs to be regulated till the arrival of next South West Monsoon in May-June 2020.

    Earlier, 30% curtailment over regular supply was imposed since 1^st March 2020. However, given the current situation, unless further curtailment is imposed, it may not be possible to sustain the supply till the arrival of next monsoon.    

    Therefore, in order to sustain the water supply, it has become inevitable to impose further curtailment in the quantity of water to the extent of 50%. Consequently, the water supply to all areas falling under the jurisdiction of PHED, APWD and in the jurisdiction of PBMC shall be now made once in 04 days with effect from 8^th April 2020 instead of the present schedule of once in 03 days.

    People have been requested to cooperate with APWD in this hour of crisis, to tide over the situation till the arrival of monsoon in this year.