April 4: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation

Amid Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians so far, including nearly 16,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Tuesday, April 4, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades’ operations on April 4:

(Gaza Strip) 

  • Targeted Israeli military’s Merkava 4 tank with an Al-Yassin 105 shell east of Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades’ operations on April 4:

(Gaza Strip and West Bank) 

  • Targeted Israeli military’s D9 military bulldozer with an R.P.G. shell west of Gaza City.
  • Bombed the gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with mortar shells in the city of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.
  • Engaged in fierce clashes with an Israeli military’s special force that had infiltrated the city of Tubas, using machine guns and explosive devices.
  • Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces and their military vehicles storming the town of Qabatiya with machine guns and explosive devices.

Al-Quds Brigades’ operations on April 4:

(Gaza Strip and West Bank) 

  • Bombed Asqalan, Sderot, Nir Am and other illegal settlements in the Gaza envelope with a barrage of rockets. 
  • Bombed Netivot and areas in its vicinity in western Naqab with a barrage of rockets.
  • In a joint operation with the Omar Al-Qasim Forces, bombed a gathering of Israeli forces with mortar shells in the Sheikh Ajlin area, west of Gaza City.
  • Targeted the gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with a barrage of standard 60-caliber mortar shells west of Khan Younis city, southern Gaza Strip. 
  • Targeted a special Israeli military force holed up in a building in Khan Younis city with an anti-armor and fortifications shell, and then blew up an Israeli military tank with a “Barq-shock” explosive device at the same place.
  • Shot down an Israeli surveillance drone and seized control of it in Khan Younis city.
  • Targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers with a barrage of 60-caliber standard mortar shells around the Al-Amal Hospital and the Al-Arishiya west of Khan Younis city.
  • Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces storming the city of Nablus, using machine guns and explosive devices.

Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades’ operations on April 4:

(Gaza Strip) 

  • The artillery unit of the Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades targeted the illegal settlement of Kissufim with locally-made Sumoud rockets. 

Hezbollah’s operations on April. 4:

(Lebanon) 

Eastern sector:

  • At around 15:50 local time, an Israeli military’s technical team was targeted while repairing equipment at the Bayad Blida site.
  • At around 17:20 local time, the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in Lebanon’s Kafr Shuba was targeted with artillery shells.
  • At around 17:45 local time, the Ruwaisat al-Qarn site in  Lebanon’s Shebaa Farms was again targeted with a volley of missiles.

Western sector:

  • At around 13:45 local time, the newly established Liman Battalion headquarters was targeted with artillery shells.
  • At around 14:08 local time, Israeli soldiers near the Jal al-Alam site were targeted with a barrage of missiles.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq’s operations on April. 4:

(Iraq) 

  • Targeted Israeli military’s Ramat David Air Base with kamikaze drones. 
  • Targeted a vital Israeli military target in Asdod in occupied Palestinian territories.


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Liverpool Face Manchester United Title Test As Top Four Battle Heats Up

Premier League leaders Liverpool head to Manchester United looking to move a step closer to equalling their bitter rivals’ record of 20 English titles. In a gripping title race, Arsenal and Manchester City will hope for a Liverpool stumble, while the top four battle and relegation survival fight are also heating up. AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of this weekend’s action:

No ‘revenge’ mission for Liverpool

With memories of their painful FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Manchester United still fresh for Alex Mac Allister and his Liverpool team-mates, it would have been no surprise if the Argentine midfielder had branded their return to Old Trafford as a revenge mission.

Jurgen Klopp’s side twice blew the lead in a 4-3 defeat that was clinched by Amad Diallo in the final seconds of extra-time.

The end of Liverpool’s quadruple bid stung the Merseysiders but they can make amends by defeating Erik ten Hag’s men as they bid to move level with United’s record 20 top-flight titles.

Mac Allister, whose thunderous strike put Liverpool on course for their 3-1 win over Sheffield United on Thursday, insisted avenging their FA Cup loss was not the primary motivation with so much already at stake.

“I don’t know if it’s revenge but for sure it will be an important game for us because if we want to win something we have to win every game and that’s the aim,” said Mac Allister, whose team are two points clear of second-placed Arsenal with eight games left.

Arsenal head to Brighton aiming to keep the pressure on Liverpool, while third-placed City — three points behind the leaders — travel to Crystal Palace.

Top four race heats up

Tottenham are not the “finished article” according to boss Ange Postecoglou as his top four hopefuls face a vital weekend in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Postecoglou’s side were held to frustrating 1-1 draw at West Ham on Tuesday but Aston Villa’s 4-1 defeat at Manchester City 24 hours later kept the north Londoners firmly in contention for a top four berth.

Fifth-placed Tottenham are two points behind fourth-placed Villa with a game in hand.

Struggling Nottingham Forest visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, while Villa host Brentford.

Both sides will be expected to win and a shock slip-up could be a decisive moment, with Postecoglou conceding his team are still a work in progress.

“I would love to have a joystick and put them where I want them but it doesn’t work like that. We are not the finished article and we know that,” he said.

Villa are aiming to play in the Champions League for the first time since 1983 and boss Unai Emery said his players relish the pressure.

“We will play a lot of matches in the next weeks, starting on Saturday. It’s clear we are motivated and excited to try to be competitive,” he said.

‘Only way is up’ in survival battle

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is confident his side will not crack as the tension mounts in the struggle for survival.

Gibbs-White scored as fourth-bottom Forest defeated Fulham 3-1 on Tuesday to improve their hopes of beating the drop with a first win in seven games in all competitions.

“Credit to the whole team. It looks like the only way is up from here, hopefully,” Gibbs-White said.

Forest have been deducted four points for breaching the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules, while Everton were hit with a six-point punishment — reduced from 10 on appeal — for similar financial offences.

Everton face boss Sean Dyche’s former club Burnley in a crucial clash at Goodison Park on Saturday when the Toffees will bid to snap a club record 13-game winless Premier League run.

Dyche’s side are seven points above second-bottom Burnley as they chase their first league win since beating the Clarets in December.

Third-bottom Luton host Bournemouth looking to close the three-point gap on Forest.

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Saturday

Crystal Palace v Manchester City (1130), Aston Villa v Brentford, Everton v Burnley, Fulham v Newcastle, Luton v Bournemouth, Wolves v West Ham, Brighton v Arsenal (1630)

Sunday

Manchester United v Liverpool (1430), Sheffield United v Chelsea (1630), Tottenham v Nottingham Forest (1700)

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Topics mentioned in this article

Presence of rogue elephant makes gathering of Mahua flowers risky

Mahua trees reached the flowering stage with the onset of summer.

Published Date – 5 April 2024, 06:13 PM


Presence of rogue elephant makes gathering of Mahua flowers risky


Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Gathering of flowers, an important means of livelihood for tribals in summer, has turned into a risky affair in the wake of movement of the rogue elephant, which trampled two farmers to death in Kaghaznagar forest division in the gap of 24 hours.

Mahua trees reached the flowering stage with the onset of summer. Gathering of these yellow-colored flowers, a forest miner product gained momentum in forest fringe villages across Adilabad, Nirmal, Mancherial and Kumram Bheem Asifabad districts. Tribals traditionally collect the fluffy flowers for the purpose of self-consumption as snacks and can generate substantial income by selling dried flowers.


“Tantalizing aroma released by the tender yet juicy Mahua flowers can attract the elephants. Collectors of the flowers are prone to be attacked by the tusker, which tend to wander in the forests in search of food and water at night and morning. The tribals should stop this activity for a while,” Venkat, a wildlife expert told ‘Telangana Today.’

The forest officials have already issued a warning about the movement of the elephant in at least 20 villages of Chintalamanepalli, Bejjur, Penchikalpet mandal and Dahegaon mandal. They carried out extensive publicity over the consequence of venturing outdoors using various means including tom-tom. The Section 144 of CrPC was also imposed in villages likely to be strayed by the tusker.

Unmindful of the warning, tribesmen and women are reportedly entering the wild in search of the Mahua flowers. But, they are facing the threat from the elephant, which crushed two farmers to death at Burepalli village in Chintalamanepalli mandal and at Kondapalli in Penchikalpet mandal in two separate incidents that occurred on Wednesday and Thursday. There were instances of attacks on the tribals by sloth bears in the past.

District Forest Officer Neeraj Kumar Tebriwal advised the tribals not to step in the wild not only for Mahua flowers, but any other minor forest product in the light of the tusker’s presence.

The Reason Manoj Bajpayee Doesn't Watch His Own Films

The Reason Manoj Bajpayee Doesn't Watch His Own Films

Manoj Bajpayee shared this image. (courtesy: bajpayee.manoj)

Mumbai:

With three National Awards and many critically-acclaimed films to his credit, Manoj Bajpayee says he is still looking for stories and roles that are extraordinary and explore an untapped side of the actor in him. Manoj Bajpayee, who has created a niche with many memorable projects across medium such as Satya, Shool, Raajneeti, Aligarh, Gangs Of Wasseypur movies and The Family Man series, said his search for unique roles is always on. “I’ve been lucky to get really good offers. I want to go beyond that and look for more interesting, extraordinary scripts and stories which people have not seen or witnessed. Roles that are nowhere close to anything I have done. The search is always on and as the saying goes, it is always about your choices,” Manoj Bajpayee told PTI in an interview.

The actor admits that despite being in the business for many years, he still cannot predict the mood of the audiences beyond the fact that “they need a good story that can engage and entertain them”. “And if it is not doing both, they will immediately reject it. They are unpredictable.

After working hard with extreme honesty, you can only pray for the success and wish the film to connect with the audience,” he said.

Calling himself someone who is critical and not easily satisfied by what he does, Manoj Bajpayee said, he rather looks forward to the next idea. “Usually, I don’t watch my films, but there are times when I have to. At the time of the second one (season or sequel), you have to watch the first one just to be reminded of what all you’ve done and what are the elements of the characters that you have to bring in all over again. When I watch it, I am critical. I feel I could do better in many places. But what’s gone is gone at the end of the day,” he added.

The actor, 54, will be seen next in Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout, the sequel to his 2021 film Silence…Can You Hear It. He is reprising the role of ACP Avinash Verma in the sequel, directed by Aban Bharucha Deohans, who also helmed the first part.

Manoj Bajpayee praised Deohans as a “perfectionist”, who will never start a film if she is not completely ready. “She is not somebody who would like to go on the set just because there is a franchise which is greenlit by the platform. Both of us were clear about it,” he said. The film also features Prachi Desai, who is returning as Inspector Sanjana.

The actor, known for movies such as Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Rock On!! and Azhar, called the experience of working with Manoj Bajpayee “absolutely priceless”.

“Even if you enroll yourself somewhere, you will never get the same kind of learning. Just being around him and observing him, that in itself was nice. There are things about (his acting) that come back to you later. It’s amazing and beautiful. He makes us feel comfortable. He’s just the nicest person to be around,” Prachi Desai said.

Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout also features Parul Gulati, Sahil Vaid and Dinkar Sharma. Produced by Zee Studios and Candid Creations, the movie will premiere on ZEE5 on April 16.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

"Operational Misjudgment": Israel Admits Killing 7 Gaza Aid Workers

'Operational Misjudgment': Israel Admits Killing 7 Gaza Aid Workers

Seven aid workers in Gaza were killed in three Israeli air strikes on Monday

Tel Aviv:

Israel said Friday it was targeting a “Hamas gunman” when it killed in Gaza seven aid workers whose deaths caused an international outcry, with its military admitting a series of “grave mistakes” and violations of its own rules of engagement.

The victims — an Australian, Britons, a North American, a Palestinian and a Pole — were killed in three air strikes over four minutes by an Israeli drone as they ran for their lives between their three vehicles, the military said.

Poland’s foreign ministry said it still cannot understand how such an incident could have occurred. It demanded a “criminal inquiry” into Monday’s events.

The drone team who killed the aid workers made an “operational misjudgement of the situation” after spotting a suspected Hamas gunman shooting from the top of one of the aid trucks they were escorting, an internal Israeli military inquiry found.

The two brigade officers who ordered the strikes, a colonel and a major, are being fired.

Senior Israeli officers showed reporters clips from drone footage of what they said was a “Hamas operative” joining the US-based World Central Kitchen (WCK) convoy. 

Although the roofs of the three aid workers’ vehicles were emblazoned with large WCK logos, retired Israeli general Yoav Har-Even, who is leading the investigation, said the drone’s camera could not see them in the dark.

“This was a key factor in the chain of events,” he said.

The aid group has said its team was travelling in a “de-conflicted” area in a convoy of “two armoured cars branded with the WCK logo and a soft skin vehicle” at the time of the strike.

“Despite coordinating movements with the (Israeli army), the convoy was hit as it was leaving the Deir al-Balah warehouse, where the team had unloaded more than 100 tons of humanitarian food aid brought to Gaza on the maritime route,” WCK said.

The army said aid was moved at night to avoid the potential of deadly stampedes by hungry Gazans.

The aid workers’ deaths “outraged” US President Joe Biden who demanded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu order steps toward an “immediate ceasefire” in a tense telephone call late Thursday.

Israel later said it would allow “temporary” aid deliveries into northern Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of imminent famine.

Har-Even admitted that “the three air strikes were in violation of standard operating procedures”. 

But he argued that “the state of mind” of the Israeli drone commanders “was that they were striking cars that had been seized by Hamas” after they confused a bag for a gun.

The aid workers were killed after they had overseen the unloading of a ship carrying 300 tonnes of food aid from Cyprus to a warehouse inland.

But as they drove south at 11:09 pm on April 1 the drone “struck one car, and identified people running out of the car and entering the second car,” said General Har-Even. 

“They decided to hit it, which was against standard operating procedures. Then they struck the third car,” he said.

Asked by AFP, the general was not able to explain what happened to the “Hamas gunman”.

“It is a tragedy. It is a serious mistake that we are responsible for,” Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters. “A mega event… that shouldn’t have happened. We will make sure it won’t happen again.”

Har-Even said it was a breakdown in communication and coordination about the convoy in the chain of military command which may have led to the strikes.

He said that WCK had provided all the information necessary, but it was not passed down. 

“The biggest mistake was that (the drone team) didn’t have the coordination plan,” he said. “Their belief was the vehicles were Hamas based on operational misjudgement and misclassification.” 

The general briefed WFK founder, Spanish-born celebrity chef Jose Andres, early Friday before information on the circumstances of the strikes were released. Andres had called the attack a “targeted Israeli strike” on his staff.

The bloodiest ever Gaza war erupted with Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack which resulted in the deaths of about 1,170 Israelis and foreigners, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Israel’s retaliatory campaign, aimed at destroying Hamas, has killed at least 33,091 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

"PM Modi Disappointed But Nitin Gadkari Helped": Himachal Congress Chief

'PM Modi Disappointed But Nitin Gadkari Helped': Himachal Congress Chief

Himachal Pradesh Congress chief claimed that Nitin Gadkari helped the state during monsoon disaster

Shimla:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not help during Himachal Pradesh’s worst monsoon disaster but Union minister Nitin Gadkari resolved most of the issues related to the national highways in the state, claimed state Congress chief Pratibha Singh today.

“Himachal faced the worst ever natural disaster during the monsoons but no special financial assistance was given by the Centre. The state government gave Rs 4500-crore package on its own to provide succour to the affected people. This issue would be raised during the elections,” she claimed.

“I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested him for financial help for disaster relief. He said your chief minister had also met me and will do whatever is possible. I was hoping that announcement would come but was disappointed,” Ms Singh, the sitting MP from Mandi Lok Sabha seat, told Press Trust of India.

However, she said Union Minister for Transport and Highways Gadkari was very helpful.

Ms Singh, who had earlier maintained that the workers are demoralised, today said, “The Congress workers are active and fully prepared for the elections and the party will win all the Lok Sabha seats and the assembly byelections in Himachal.”

“We had won the assembly elections and will win the Lok Sabha polls and the assembly byelections on the strength of our workers who would go from door to door and tell about the achievements of the government,” Pratibha Singth, wife of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and mother of Himachal Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, said.

Earlier, Pratibha Singh had refused to contest the Lok Sabha elections claiming that the ground situation is “not favourable” and the Congress workers are disheartened.

However, later she mellowed down when the BJP announced Kangana Ranaut as its candidate from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat and said she would follow the directions of the Congress central leadership.

She also maintained that the people want someone from the Virbhadra’s family to contest this election.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

When Will INDIA Bloc Decide The PM Candidate? Rahul Gandhi Says…

When Will INDIA Bloc Decide The PM Candidate? Rahul Gandhi Says...

Rahul Gandhi was speaking at the Congress manifesto launch programme

New Delhi:

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the INDIA bloc has decided that its prime ministerial face will be decided by the alliance constituents jointly after it wins the polls and exuded confidence that the NDA’s 2024 campaign will meet the same fate as that of ‘India Shining’ in 2004.

The former Congress chief said the Lok Sabha polls are between forces who are trying to “destroy” the Constitution and democracy in the country and those protecting them.

Speaking at the Congress manifesto launch programme, Mr Gandhi said it is a much closer contest than what is propagated by the media, and expressed confidence of winning the polls.

Responding to a question after the release of the party manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls, he said, “This election is about those who want to destroy the Constitution and democracy in the country versus those who want to protect the Constitution and democracy.” “We do believe that it is very important once this fight is won that we look after the interests of the vast majority of our people, that India is not run for two or three large conglomerates but is run for the vast majority of the people, that we are not a nation of monopolies, we are a nation where there is fair competition among businesses,” he said.

Asked about who would be the prime ministerial face, Mr Gandhi said, “INDIA bloc has decided that we are together fighting an ideological election, after winning the election, who will be the leader, the PM, the whole coalition will jointly decide.”

To a question on the outcome of the polls, Mr Gandhi said unlike many political commentators he cannot predict the future but expressed confidence that this is a “much closer” election than what is being propagated by the media.

“It is a close election and we are going to fight an excellent election and we are going to win the election,” Mr Gandhi asserted.

He said there was a similar feeling being generated by the press when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime minister in 2004 when there was the India Shining campaign.

“So, we have a similar idea being propagated, India Shining, with two-three new dimensions, with full support by the monopolists of the country. But do remember what happened to the India Shining campaign and do remember who won that campaign,” Mr Gandhi asserted.

The NDA had lost the polls and the UPA government was sworn in.

Mr Gandhi said it is important to understand that this is a fundamentally different election as democracy and the Constitution have not been as much at risk as it is today.

The Congress’s bank accounts were frozen and it was left with its original path which was to go to the people, he said.

The party’s manifesto is not prepared by the Congress but by the people of India and “we have just written it down”, he said, adding that the document is just the “voice of India”.

“This election is between 2-5 per cent and the rest of India. What India wants is in the manifesto,” he said.

The seven-phase Lok Sabha polls will begin on April 19 and end on June 1. Results will be declared on June 4.

The manifesto, titled ‘Nyay Patra’, was released at the AICC headquarters in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Sonia Gandhi. It focused on five ‘pillars of justice’ and 25 guarantees under them. 

Bull Pounces On Scooter In Bengaluru, Trucker's Quick Thinking Saves Rider

Passersby rushed to the man’s aid.

Bengaluru:

A man narrowly escaped death in Bengaluru last week when a mercurial bull pounced on his scooter, nearly pushing him under a passing truck, which stopped in the nick of time. 

A CCTV video, which is going viral, shows a woman walking on a narrow road leading a massive bull using a rope in the city’s Mahalakshmipuram Layout area. One scooter goes by and the bull pays no attention, even looking the other way before pouncing, for no apparent reason, on another two-wheeler that was about to pass by. 

Caught off guard, the unsuspecting rider falls onto the road, escaping injury thanks to a quick-thinking truck driver next to him who slams the brakes. The bull, meanwhile, scampers off, leaving its minder and everyone else on the road dumbstruck.

The man stands up, pointing to the bull in disbelief as the truck driver says something to him. The video ends with passersby rushing to his aid, picking up his scooter and parking it by the side of the road.
 

Kishan Reddy blames Cong Govt for water crisis in Telangana

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Kishan Reddy alleged that though the State was witnessing a severe water crisis, the State government was not taking steps to resolve the issue.

Published Date – 5 April 2024, 04:57 PM


Kishan Reddy blames Cong Govt for water crisis in Telangana


Hyderabad: Blaming the Congress government for the water crisis in the State, BJP State president G Kishan Reddy alleged that Telangana was witnessing water crisis due to the inefficiency of the Congress government.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Kishan Reddy alleged that though the State was witnessing a severe water crisis, the State government was not taking steps to resolve the issue. “Congress has miserably failed to provide water for irrigation and drinking water. The State is suffering due to the inefficiency of the government,”he alleged.


The union Minister said there was no shortage of power in the entire country, but due to the inefficiency of the Congress government power outages were taking place in Telangana. Coming down heavily on Congress, Kishan Reddy said the Congress government failed to implement Six Guarantees in the State even after 100 days. “Congress has no moral right to seek votes from the people of Telangana as it has failed to keep its promises,”he said.

Significant depletion in groundwater table in 15 mandals of Nizamabad

In the last 20 days, the groundwater has dropped significantly in the district with farmers struggling to save the Yasangi crops.

Updated On – 5 April 2024, 05:20 PM


Significant depletion in groundwater table in 15 mandals of Nizamabad


Nizamabad: Groundwater crisis has deepened in parts of Nizamabad district, with 15 mandals experiencing significant depletion in the groundwater table. In these 15 mandals the groundwater level has reached an average of 12.28 metres and is causing concern among farmers and people in general.

In the last 20 days, the groundwater has dropped significantly in the district with farmers struggling to save the Yasangi crops. The groundwater level in Cheemanpally, Gadkol, Thoompally, Thallapally, Mushirnagar, Ramannapet, Chinna Walgot, Edappally, Mopal, Mupkal, Nandipet Velmal, Maclure Madanpally, Mendora, Nizamabad North and Nizamabad Rural mandals is falling rapidly. In fact, in Renjal Dupalli and Dandigutta mandals the groundwater has fallen to a depth of 30 metres.


According to district officials, in Pakala village of Sirikonda mandal, the water which was 9.88 metres deep in December last went down to 19.56 metres deep in January and has now reached a depth of 30 metres.

District officials stated that the existing boreholes were not able to provide water to 40 percent of the paddy crops and to save them the farmers were digging new boreholes leading to further fall in the groundwater level in the district. In order to stop farmers from digging new borewells, Collector Rajiv Gandhi Hanumanthu has issued orders to Tahsildars to bring into force the Water, Land & Trees Act, 2002 (WALTA) to prevent digging of new boreholes.

The district authorities have asked the Rural Water Supply officials to take measures to check depletion of groundwater in the district. The authorities are even renting borewells to supply water for irrigation and drinking water purposes.

On one hand, groundwater levels in the state are depleting very fast and on the other hand, a majority of dams in the state are running dry.