Authorities announce water curtailment in Andaman

Port Blair, Jan 2 (UNI) The Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC) today announced curtailment in water supply here and the surrounding areas following the fast dropping water level in the Dhanikhari Dam, the lone water reservoir in South Andaman.

Inadequate rainfall during November-December 2006 had led to the drastic fall in the water level at the dam, PBMC chairman Sher Singh told newspersons today.

Secretary of an NGO HELP (Health Environment and Less Pollution), Subhasish Ray said at present a major share of water was being utilised by huge number of mushrooming hotels and lodges, resulting in shortage for localites.

''We are promoting more and more tourism. Last year, the territory had received more than 1,20,000 tourists, which was an abnormal rise in tourist traffic. This has resulted in water crisis,'' he added.

Every year water curtailment is announced in March or April but this year it has been announced four months in advance creating a ripple among the islanders.

UNI