The other day, our editions in Tamil Nadu carried a small item of news from the northern district of Vellore, on the pleasure of water-rig operators at the profitable season ahead. The Celsius level has suddenly shot up there, the maximum touching almost 40 degrees already, and the water level, it appears, has sunk to below 800 ft in much of the district.

March 3: The city is likely to face severe water shortage as a result of the rapid growth in infrastructure, sources said.
"The utilisation of ground water has increased since the last four years. But, there has been no increase in the water table in the city," said Mr N. Srinivasu, the additional director of the ground water department.

D. Radhakrishnan

Udhagamandalam: With drought related conditions at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve deteriorating, the wildlife authorities have initiated steps to meet the water needs of the wild animals.

Amidst the scorching heat the students have to appear in the examinations, which started from Monday. 40 thousand students would appear in exams at 80 examination centres of the city. However, the condition of water availability in 60 per cent schools is pitiable because they are facing water crisis.

Dhanbad, March 1: Union minister of state for coal Santosh Bagrodia today said that the Jharia coalfield was sitting on an atom bomb. He was referring to the inferno raging underneath.

The minister, who was in the district to inaugurate the statue of former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi at Koylanagar, emphasised on the need for immediate implementation of the Jharia Action Plan.

Radhakrishnan Kuttoor

PATHANAMTHITTA: Sabarimala is in the grip of acute water scarcity, making life miserable for the 1,000 people living there.

Two weeks ago, the Kunnar dam, the lone water source about 8 km from the holy hillock in the dense forests, turned dry. In the foothills, the Pampa went dry, affecting water supply through pipelines at Pampa.

KOCHI: Adequate drinking water remains a dream for the residents of Vypeen Island, especially those in Elankunnapuzha, Njarackal, Nayarambalam and Edavanakad panchayats, even after the commissioning of two major projects, the Hudco-Aided Water Augmentation Scheme and Chowara Water Supply Scheme.

Bhopal: Chief Secretary Rakesh Sahni has directed all district Collectors of the state to closely monitor the situation of drinking water in their respective areas and initiate steps right now to formulating an action plan so that the supply of drinking water could be ensured till the end of the year. Sahni asked them not to be slack in this regard.

SHILLONG, Feb 19