Water crisis in Delhi due to rampant sand mining in Yamuna in Haryana: Saurabh Bhardwaj

New Delhi, Mar 7 (PTI) Delhi is battling a crisis with the water level in the Yamuna at Wazirabad dropping almost three feet below the desired level due to unbridled illegal sand mining in Haryana and the situation may worsen amid a prediction of extreme heat this year, the city's water utility said on Tuesday.

India logged its warmest February since India Meteorological Department started maintaining records in 1901, with maximum temperatures touching 29.54 degrees Celsius.  The India Meteorological Department also said there is an enhanced probability of heat waves between March and May.

"It's just February-March and the situation is similar to what Delhi saw in May last year. It means the problem is going to get worse in the coming months. Authorities have predicted an unprecedented summer this year," Delhi Jal Board's chairman Saurabh Bhardwaj told reporters.  "But the situation at hand is not due to the heat but rampant illegal sand mining in Haryana. The sand mafia has created a series of bunds downstream of Yamunagar and it's blocking the flow of water to Delhi," he said.