Haryana plunges into drinking water crisis as row deepens

A deepening water dispute between Punjab and Haryana has turned into a severe drinking water crisis across several districts in Haryana.

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The issue began after the Punjab government drastically reduced Haryana's share of Bhakra canal water—from 9,500 cusecs to just 4,000 cusecs—triggering panic in cities and villages alike.

The internal reports suggest that the districts like Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Rohtak, and Mahendragarh are the worst-hit. With tap and canal water drying up, residents have turned to private water tankers, some paying up to three times the normal rates. In rural areas, hand pumps and tubewells are being used, but the situation remains difficult, especially in isolated farm settlements (dhanis), where tankers are the only option.

In Rohtak, according to the Irrigation Department, 1,500 cusecs of water is being supplied through the JLN canal. Despite this, the water level in the tanks hasn't increased significantly, and only 3 to 4 feet of water is available. As a result, water is being supplied to households only once a day.