Water-logging in Puducherry after continuous rainfall

Residents of Vandiyur Theerthakadu near Anna Nagar, which falls within the limits of the Madurai Corporation under the Madurai East Assembly constituency represented by Registration Department Minister P Moorthy, have alleged on Thursday that their locality has been deprived of basic amenities such as electricity, drinking water and proper roads for more than four decades.

President Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 'Jal Mahotsav 2026' in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The State Government has initiated proactive measures to ensure that rural communities do not face drinking water shortages during the upcoming summer season, said Priyank Kharge, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and Information Technology & Biotechnology.

Briefing reporters on decisions of Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that Union approved Ministry of Jal Shakti's proposal to restructure and reorient the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) from infrastructure creation to a service delivery, supported by drinking water governance and institutional ecosystem for sustainable rural piped potable water supply.

Rapid urbanisation has led to lake pollution, declining water quality, reduced groundwater recharge and worsening air quality in densely populated areas. To address these issues, the 'Lake and Air Watch' initiative will integrate monitoring systems across departments for coordinated and timely action.

In an X post, the IAF shared the images and videos of the widespread blaze in the areas and the efforts to douse the flames with the Mi-17 V5 helicopter.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated the rejuvenated Nalla Cheruvu lake in Kukatpally and reiterated the state government's commitment to restoring water bodies across Hyderabad to address future urban challenges.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Paatil, marked the Shubharambh of Jal Mahotsav 2026, a nationwide campaign of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), from Village Rahej in Gandevi Block of Navsari district, Gujarat.

A new Water Distribution Station has been constructed at a cost of Rs 55.31 crore in the Ghatlodiya Ward, located in the North-West Zone of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Ahmedabad, a release said.

"In Mayurbhanj, around four lakh hectares constitute cultivable land, and out of that, 64% has an assured irrigation facility. During Kharif, with rain-fed irrigation, we cover 100% of the cultivable area, but during Rabi, irrigation drops to about one lakh hectares," he told ANI.