Panel suggests inter-linking of rivers to tackle drought

With several parts of the country witnessing severe drought for the past two years due to failure of monsoon, a central agency has suggested inter-linking of rivers and repair of water bodies to address the crises.

The Central Water Commission (CWC), which studied water situation in drought-hit areas in 2015-16,  said “consecutive failure of monsoon” for two years was the main reason behind the scarcity of water and suggested short and long term measures specific to region, area, and state to deal with the situation.

The report has recommended construction of water harvesting structures, creating mass awareness, construction of new water storage structures, inter-linking of rivers, renovation and repair of existing water bodies as some of the important measures.