National capital dries up

Residents collect drinking water from a tanker at Vivekananda Colony

The Delhi government will on Thursday hold an emergency meeting regarding the water crisis that the city is facing amid a prevailing heatwave, officials said. The national capital is facing water shortage due to unprecedented summer heat with temperatures hovering around the 50 degrees Celsius mark in parts of the city.

The meeting, to be held at noon, will be attended by Water Minister Atishi, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, the chief secretary and other senior officers, they said. Atishi has alleged shortage in water supply due to the share of Delhi in Yamuna being stopped by Haryana.

BJP protests outside Atishi's home

Minister Atishi inspects Wazirabad water treatment plant. Pics/PTI

Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha's office bearers held a protest outside minister Atishi's residence over water crisis. The protestors were carrying earthen pots on their shoulders and placards during demonstration. They raised slogans against CM Arvind Kejriwal outside Atishi's residence. Capital is facing water shortage due to unprecedented summer heat with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees Celsius mark in parts of the city.

Delhi fire dept got over 200 calls on Wednesday

Fire-related calls surged to 180 on Wednesday recording a nearly three-fold rise over the single-day calls received by the Delhi Fire Service, with officials attributing the increase to heatwave conditions prevailing in the national capital. The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received 220 calls, including 183 fire-related, on Wednesday, the highest so far this year, officials said. The remaining calls were related to bird and animal rescue.

Peak power demand hits all-time high

India's peak power demand hit a record high of 246.06 GW per day after mercury touched highest-ever levels in Delhi and other places, prompting use of air-conditioners and other electricity-consuming cooling devices, the power ministry said on Thursday.

The peak power demand met, or the highest supply in the day, was recorded at 246.06 GW on Wednesday, which is the maximum so far in the summer season this year, according to the power ministry data. It was 237.94 GW on Tuesday.