Meghalaya staring at a water crisis, some regions go dry, Minister expresses concern

The Meghalaya Public Health Engineering (PHE) minister Marcuise N Marak on Saturday expressed concern over the impending water crisis in the state particularly in Tura and Shillong town even as some parts of the state is already facing a shortage.

Designated as one of the most favourite tourist hotspots even for the people of the region, Shillong is reeling under severe hot and humid weather condition and some areas are already facing a water shortage, PHE minister Marak said.

Speaking to media, the PHE Minister said that the government is trying to provide safe and portable drinking water to each and every one, however, most of the sources providing potable water, including main reservoirs, in the state have dried up.

Most of the sources of Jal Jeevan Mission have also dried up due to the depletion in the water level in the main reservoirs.

Expressing concern Marak emphasized that some water sources are supplying only 20 per cent of the water against their potential. Marak underlined that the shortage is primarily due to the dry spell.

When asked about people encroaching the catchment areas, the Minister said that attempts are being made to sensitise people not to encroach the catchment areas.

In case of Garo Hills, minister Marak said that the shifting cultivation is still being practiced and this is one of the main causes hampering the environment.

While talking about Shillong, Marak admitted that the Umiew river which feeds the Mawphlang reservoir had dried up considerably, however because of the storage facilities water can be supplied in case of delayed rainfall. But such facilities are unavailable in Garo Hills.

In Tura, the Minister said Ganol river is the main source of water and as it is drying up the government is planning to come up with a water storage facility in Ganol and at the same time, programmes will be launched to locate other sources of water.

He also said that the government has directed the deputy commissioners to take necessary steps to protect the catchment areas and they are waiting for the replies from the district administration.

The Chief Engineer Public Health Engineering (PHE) department Engineer B.M. Lyndem on Thursday issued an advisory to the residents of Meghalaya’s state capital Shillong, urging them to use water “judiciously and adopt water-saving” practices wherever possible.

Earlier on May 1, the District Magistrate of West Garo Hills issued a notice stating the public is advised to implement water conservation measures both in their households and within their localities, especially during periods of water shortage. It is recommended to refrain from car washing activities to reduce the strain on water resources.