A cute water shortage following a failed monsoon in the state has
forced the government to rein in establishments tapping wa rein in
establishments tapping water by illegal means. District collectors have
been directed to crack down on commercial establishments that are found
drawing water beyond their permissible limits.Industries are also
feeling the pinch with water supply to manufacturing units getting
regulated.

Commissioner for revenue administration K Satyagopal
said micromanagement of water distribution had begun to cater to the
immediate requirement. “Illegal tapping of water is taking place on a
large scale,” he said. “Illegal tapping could be by households, farmers,
commercial establishments or industries. Whoever it is, we are trying
to disconnect the illegal lines. Every collector has been asked to do
so,” Satyagopal said.

The official said commercial es tablish ments, like hotels and
marriage halls, which are drawing excessive wa ter are being tracked on a
regular ba sis. “Also, we are having a dialogue with the industries and
regulating their supplies,” Satyagopal said adding that steps are being
taken to tap drinking water by putting subsurface bags at places with
adequate water resources.

Asked about the water situation in Chennai, Satyagopal said, “There
will be regulations but we are confident that the supply of water will
be steady.” Besides, water tankers will be used to supply drinking water
in areas that cannot be covered by the distribution system, Satyagopal
told reporters on the sidelines of a summit on climate change &
disaster risk reduction.

At the event, Kamal Kishore,
member, National Disaster Management Authority, said, Asian countries
were losing $126 dollars every day due to natural disasters. In his
address, UNICEF’s chief of field office for Tamil Nadu and Kerala Job Zachariah said India loses Rs 65,000 crores every year due to natural disasters.