With the monsoon approaching the length and breadth of India soon, a renewed campaign is being prepared in the country’s urban areas to “Catch the Rain” and provide sustainability in 150 water-stressed districts. The theme of the campaign is “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water,” and its main purpose is to achieve water security through the conservation of rainwater. With the active participation of several stakeholders, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (water power, in Indian languages) are joining forces to “turn conservation of water into a mass campaign in the run-up to monsoon season 2023,” the Indian government’s Press Information Bureau said. The campaign has been christened “Jal Shakti Abhiyan Catch the Rain.” Jal Shakti Abhiyan means “Water Power Action” in the Hindi language. The two Ministries chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the “Catch the Rain” campaign. Municipal Commissioners from across India, non-profit organisations, and dedicated individuals submitted progress reports on preparations for the campaign, which were reviewed at the high-level meeting. uruvayur municipality in Kerala briefed the meeting about its effective storm water drainage system which has been effective in preventing urban flooding. Odisha state’s authorities briefed about their campaign to rejuvenate water bodies in the urban areas through smart rainwater harvesting in partnership with women’s self-help groups. Secretaries of the two Ministries emphasised the importance of the campaign in achieving the dual objectives of flood prevention and increasing water availability in urban areas, Press Information Bureau said. hlam Almazrooi/ Esraa Esmail

Source: Emirates News Agency