Delhi Water Minister Atishi ended her indefinite fast over the water scarcity in the national capital after being hospitalized in the wee hours of Tuesday, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh informed. Atishi's health had deteriorated after nearly five days of fasting, with her blood sugar level plummeting to 36 mg/dL, Singh said. She was admitted to LNJP Hospital at approximately 3:45 a.m.
"The doctors insisted on her hospitalisation and even warned that her life could be in peril," Singh stated. Atishi is currently in the ICU, where various tests are being conducted, leading to the cessation of her indefinite hunger strike. Singh said he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to ensure Delhi receives its rightful share of water from Haryana. He also mentioned that the AAP, along with its political allies, will continue to address this issue.
Over the past three weeks, Haryana had reduced Delhi's share of water from the Yamuna by 100 million gallons per day (MGD). However, Singh noted that the situation has slightly improved over the last two days, with the shortfall now reduced to 90 MGD.
Moody's Ratings on Tuesday warned that India's escalating water shortage, exacerbated by high consumption amid rapid economic growth and frequent natural disasters, threatens the nation's sovereign credit strength. Each summer, millions of Indians face acute water shortages as demand surges in farms, offices, and homes, far outstripping the limited supply. This year, a prolonged heatwave has further strained water resources, particularly in the capital Delhi, and the southern tech hub of Bengaluru.
"This is detrimental to the credit health of the sovereign, as well as sectors that heavily consume water, such as coal power generators and steel-makers," Moody's Ratings stated in a note. The agency added, "In the long term, investment in water management can mitigate risks from potential water shortages."
India's Ministry of Water Resources projects that the country's average annual water availability per capita will decline to 1,367 cubic meters by 2031 from an already-low 1,486 cubic meters in 2021. The ministry considers levels below 1,700 cubic meters indicative of water stress, with 1,000 cubic meters marking the threshold for water scarcity.
As Delhi grapples with the water crisis, the situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management solutions across the country. The combination of local challenges and national-level concerns highlights the critical importance of addressing water scarcity to ensure economic stability and public health.
(With Inputs from Agencies)
