SHILLONG:
The water level at Umiam Lake is drying up and only rainfall can bring relief from the sweltering heat and perhaps load-shedding. With receding water level and no rain in sight, the old Umiam road can be seen.
The receding water level allows people to graze their cattle too.
The Board outside the water reservoir at Umiam reads 3166.6 feet at 4 pm. The highest level of the water is 3220 feet. Sources informed that the level of water dropped as there was no rainfall for several days.
The lake still attracted tourists who took boat-rides at Orchid resort and locals were seen taking a canoe to reach the other side. Local ladies were also seen fishing on the river bank.
It may be mentioned that Power Minister A.T. Mondal said that the power projects are dependent on rain except Umiam which is a reservoir type.