Several reports have swarmed that parts of Narmada River have been guarded by security personnels as the state of Gujarat is on the verge of seeing a drought like condition. The water levels in the reservoirs of the state are touching the 10% mark, which means that there is less or rather negligible water for irrigation purposes is available.
As the water supply is very stringent, the river banks are guarded by security personnels as farmers who are in desperate need water for irrigation purposes would definitely want to take some for their farms.
Here comes the ethical dilemma where one needs water to save his yearlong hard work or provide water for drinking purposes. Gujarat is almost on verge of declaring drought like conditions and looking at the skies, the rains may not even help the deterring conditions of the state.
Given the heatwave conditions prevailing in the country, the temperatures in Gujarat has also seen in a constant rise. The end of March did see temperatures crossing 40°C and in the last three days the story has been similar.
The temperatures in Ahmedabad hovers around the same 40°C mark. Barring the coastal regions, the entire state is sweltering with high day temperatures and night temperatures settling around mid-20°Cs. Some ponds in the regions have gone dry.
Rains in the region are there but not significant. Gujarat is prone to less rain activity during the pre-monsoon times. For the significant rain activity the residents of Gujarat will have to wait till the monsoon which is expected to visit sometime in May end and June first week.
All in all the conditions in Gujarat is critical and no relief from weather gods or state government is expected.
Image Credit: rediff.com
