You do not need to be an astrologer to predict water shortage in Delhi during the summer months. Come summer and there is bound to be shortage of water. Although the residents of the capital have become accustomed to severe water shortages during the parching summer months, they couldn’t have expected that the crunch would come about so early.

As the capital’s temperature is gradually moving towards the 40 degree mark, the water streams from the city taps are already becoming thinner. The NDMC areas and several parts of north and northwest Delhi would have to do with curtailed water supply if the supply position from the neighboring states of Haryana and Utter Pradesh continues at the present sluggish pace. The Delhi Jal Board—DJB- fears that the situation may go worse.

According to reliable sources, the 120 MGD Wazirabad plant and 90 MGD Chandrawal plant are getting about 80% of their usual supply of water. ‘‘Supply has been reduced to Delhi by Haryana since they are not getting their share from Punjab. Punjab is carrying out maintenance in its plants which should finish by March 4. Hopefully within a few days after that we will get our normal supply,’’ said Arun Mathur, CEO, DJB.

Till the water problem is resolved, the Delhiites have to be prepared to get a rationed supply of water. ‘‘People will get water but probably the supply time will be reduced. For places that face an acute problem, we are planning to arrange tankers,’’ said Mathur.

To put the causes of water shortage in right perspective, there has been a long standing dispute between Delhi and Haryana over the sharing of water. The matter was referred to the Supreme Court which ruled that the government of Haryana could not hold back water since it was for drinking purposes which should get priority over any other use.

Since the past many days the pond level of water at Wazirabad plant has been much lower than the compulsory level of 674.5 feet. Meanwhile areas like Gole Market, Mandir Marg, Connaught Place, Rajpath, Parliament area, Chanakyapuri, Sarojini Nagar, Civil Lines, Chandni Chowk and Punjabi Bagh are already facing reduced water supply.