Uttarakhand is facing an acute water crisis due to soaring summer temperatures, lower rainfall, and snowfall this past winter. To address the shortage, the state government has banned the washing of cars using water, while also instructing district magistrates to ensure that cars are “dry washed” instead.
The water crisis has affected several cities in Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Didihat, Kotdwar, and Champawat, leading residents to rely on water tankers. The government has identified 317 villages and 148 urban localities with severe water shortages.
The state’s rivers have also seen a decline in water flow, with the government identifying 10 rivers that need to be revived. An action plan will be prepared by district magistrates to revive these rivers and identify more if necessary.
The Centre is also set to launch a water conservation campaign from June 1 to June 7, with Uttarakhand actively participating in the initiative. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has emphasized the importance of water conservation and has directed that rainwater harvesting and solar energy be implemented in government buildings.