Delhi Heat: National Capital faces acute water crisis as Yamuna levels fall amid severe heatwave

Delhi’s scorching heatwave has triggered a major water crisis as the Yamuna runs nearly dry near Wazirabad. Several colonies are facing severe shortages, tanker fights and contaminated supply.

New Delhi: The national capital is witnessing a major water crisis as rising temperatures and falling water levels in the Yamuna river have severely affected the city’s water supply system. Several parts of the national capital are facing acute shortages, with residents struggling to access drinking water during the ongoing heatwave.

Wazirabad, Chandrawal Plants Operating Below Capacity

Two of Delhi’s key water treatment plants Wazirabad and Chandrawal are currently functioning at reduced capacity due to a sharp decline in raw water availability from the Yamuna.

Delhi is battling a severe water crisis as Yamuna water levels near Wazirabad continue to fall amid extreme heatwave conditions. Several colonies are facing shortages, contaminated supply and long queues for tankers. #DelhiWaterCrisis #Heatwave #Yamuna #Delhi pic.twitter.com/Mcya90QYML

— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) May 28, 2026

Officials said both plants are operating at nearly 70 per cent of their full capacity after water levels in the Wazirabad pond dropped significantly below the required mark. The plants together treat nearly 225 million gallons of water daily, making them crucial to Delhi’s supply network.

Authorities have started emergency measures, including constructing temporary channels to divert the remaining river water towards treatment plant intake points.

Several Areas Facing Severe Shortages

The shortage has affected many residential and commercial areas across the city. Localities including Model Town, Mukherjee Nagar, Rajendra Nagar, Nabi Karim, Motia Khan, Malka Ganj, Anand Parbat, Inderpuri and Chawri Bazaar are among the worst-hit regions.

Residents complained that water tankers are unable to meet the demand, with supplies getting exhausted within minutes. In several colonies, people alleged that they had either received no water for days or were supplied contaminated water unfit for daily use.

Heatwave Worsens Situation

The crisis has intensified as Delhi continues to face extreme summer temperatures. Several areas in the city recorded temperatures close to 47 degrees Celsius, increasing dependence on regular water supply for drinking and cooling purposes.

Citizens said the combined impact of intense heat and water scarcity has made daily life extremely difficult.

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Emergency Measures By Delhi Jal Board

To manage the situation, the Delhi Jal Board has diverted water from the Munak canal through the Haiderpur canal towards the affected plants. Officials stated that other treatment plants, including Haiderpur, Bawana, Nangloi and Dwarka, have also witnessed slight supply reductions due to redistribution efforts.

However, plants linked to the Ganga canal system, including Sonia Vihar, Bhagirathi and Okhla treatment facilities, continue to function normally.

Authorities said additional water release has been requested from Haryana irrigation officials to stabilise the supply situation in Delhi.