New Delhi, July 8: According to the central government, nearly 17 percent of cities and towns in India are currently facing water shortage. Among the states, Tamil Nadu has maximum number of urban areas which are facing a water crisis. Areas under 184 urban local bodies in Tamil Nadu are facing water shortage. In Rajasthan, 111 municipal areas face water shortage. The third on the list is Uttar Pradesh where 84 municipal areas are reeling under water crisis.

The list is prepared by the housing and urban affairs ministry. In the list, 255 districts and 1,597 blocks have been identified as water stressed. While in Punjab 82 municipal areas (nearly half of all notified urban areas) face water shortage, in Karnataka, their number is 57. 52 out of total of 86 urban areas in Haryana face water shortage. All the four municipal areas in Delhi including the posh NDMC zone have been identified as “water stressed” urban areas, TOI reported. Uttar Pradesh Family Seeks Narendra Modi's Permission to Commit Suicide After Facing Severe Water Shortage.

All urban areas surrounding Delhi such as Ghaziabad, Noida and Faridabad have been facing a similar shortage. The ministry has also prepared a plan to undertake an intensive campaign for water conservation, recycle and reuse of grey water. Tamil Nadu Faces Severe Water Shortage As Borewells Go Dry, Chennai Worst Affected.

List of areas facing water shortage in India:

"All urban bodies are requested to carry out focused activities during two phases between 1st July, 2019 to 15th September, 2019 and 1st October 2019 to 30th November 2019 to promote and develop the culture of water conservation in urban areas which have been identified as water stressed. The crux of this drive is building large scale awareness campaign so that conservation of water becomes a Jan Andolan," said the ministry.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2019 09:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).