Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
NAINITAL: Naini lake’s water level has dropped to 4.7 feet, the lowest in five years, following a prolonged dry spell and steady inflow of untreated sewage, sparking fears of a drinking water shortage ahead of the peak tourist season in Nainital.
The lake, the town’s defining feature and a tourist draw, has turned into a symbol of environmental strain, with visible deltas forming around its receding edges. Since Oct 2024, rainfall and snowfall have declined by nearly 90% compared to historical averages. As the water retreats, so too does the clarity of the lake, both in its appearance and in its ability to support the community that depends on
Irrigation department assistant engineer and in- charge of Naini lake, D D Sati, told TOI that while the situation is not currently alarming, a
sustained drop of more than 0.5 inches in water level per day would prompt the department to alert the Pay Jal Sansthan for possible water rationing in the city.
We hope the situation improves with the summer rains, and we are closely monitoring the lake’s water level. If the decline continues, the Jal Sansthan will be alerted on April 15 to restrict water release to no more than 8 MLD for city use,” Sati said. He added that while the lake’s primary source is rainfall, it continues to be recharged by underground springs, including a perennial spring near the Naina Devi mandir.
