Munak Canal Leak Disrupts Water Supply in Dwarka and Parts of Delhi for Up to 72 Hours
Residents across parts of north, west, and south-west Delhi, including Dwarka, Rohini, Palam, and Uttam Nagar, suffered severe water supply disruptions lasting 48 to 72 hours through Sunday following a major leak in the Munak Carrier Lined Channel (CLC) canal on Friday.
Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials confirmed that the damaged stretch of the canal was repaired late Friday night and water flow has been restored. However, supply in the affected areas is being brought back in phases as reservoirs refill and the distribution network stabilises.
The Munak system consists of two parallel canals: the CLC canal and the Delhi Sub-Branch (DSB). The CLC canal normally carries 719 cusecs of raw water from Haryana to Delhi. Following the leak, raw water inflow through the CLC dropped sharply to 92 cusecs, forcing authorities to divert part of the supply through the DSB canal.
The combined inflow from both canals dropped to 531 cusecs, well below the normal combined supply of approximately 1,158 cusecs. This sudden drop impacted operations at four major water treatment plants, including those in Dwarka, Haiderpur, Bawana, and Nangloi, resulting in widespread shortages.
According to DJB officials, although repairs on the damaged canal were completed late Friday night, water could not be released immediately because the cement needed time to set and dry completely. Water was released into the canal only after the cement had fully cured.
Despite the repair work, residents across several localities reported prolonged dry taps and a lack of advance notice from authorities. Ajit Vishwakarma, a resident of Rajapuri in Uttam Nagar, reported receiving no tap water for over 48 hours. Kundan Kumar, a resident of Avantika Sector-1 in Rohini, stated that his locality had gone without water for three days without any official notice.
In Naraina Industrial Area Phase-I, resident Vijender Kumar noted shortages lasting two days. Himanshu Kalra from Beriwala Bagh in Hari Nagar reported receiving either no water or dirty water, causing significant difficulties for families with young children. Residents in Sant Nagar, Burari, also reported zero supply for nearly 72 hours.
Complaints continued to pour in on Sunday from areas including Dwarka, Rohini Sector-2, Avantika Sector-1, Rajapuri, Beriwala Bagh, Sant Nagar, and Naraina. DJB officials stated that while water production at the affected treatment plants has resumed, it will take time for supply to reach the tail-end areas of the distribution network.
