Extreme Measures & Extreme Arrangements- Mt.Abu

Extreme Measures , Extreme Arrangements- Mt.Abu

The paradox of our situation here in Mount Abu is that we have the monsoons pouring rain and the decision of the Lions Club and the local authorities of feeding the lake with rainwater from streams with the aid of 25 odd water tractors and tankers, has been looked upon with utter scepticism and disbelief by the Abuites.

The local Newspapers are claiming that this is one of the largest water harvesting projects taken on in Rajasthan. Even though it seems like carrying coals to Newcastle as the monsoon is still underway here and by the law of averages the lake should overflow by the end of the monsoon period.

This action on the part of some of the residents to feed the lake with about 2 lakh litres of water daily over a period of days just goes to show the desperation and the shortfalls of the administration for this place. The upper Kodra dam that needs desperate repairs and plugging went untouched throughout this dry spell, at the moment this dam has about 7 feet of water, the lower Kodra dam a month ago had only 17 feet of water, today has 42 feet of water. If the monsoon continues to favour us like the past week we should see better days in the coming year.

We have learnt to survive electrical cuts, blackouts with heavy showers, and rationing of water in times of dire drought. In short, we are quite prepared for the
Third World War!

The Tractor tanker emptying its water on the lakes fringe

Tanker being filled from the stream flowing into Paddy’s bridge

Members of the Lion Club and others Overseeing the project.