Water crisis deepens in Andaman, further curtailment announced

Port Blair, Apr 8 (UNI) With the announcement of further curtailment of water supply today from the existing 30 to 45 per cent, water crisis has intensified in this archipelago.

''This was done to ensure availability of water in South Andaman's lone water reservoir till the onset of monsoon,'' Port Blair Municipal Council Chairman Sher Singh said here today.

Mr Singh said this curtailment was approved by the Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and expert opinion from Andaman Public Works Department were also taken.

''The local unit of Indian Metrological Department has announced that the monsoon is likely to be late, around May 20 this year. So curtailment was necessary,'' Mr Singh said.

According to the new schedule, supply of water will now be made on every fourth day in most of the areas in South Andaman.

Water is supplied to South Andaman region from Dhanikhari Dam, which is the lone reservoir of the area storing only rainwater.

Officials say that less rainfall in the month of November and December last year and now this delay in arrival of monsoon have intensified the problem for the islanders.

Monsoon usually strikes the islands in April-end.

UNI