'Pani Jo Aata Hai Woh Evaporate ho Jata Hai': Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on Water Shortage; video deleted after massive backlash

Wake up: Rekha Gupta has dropped another banger statement that has gone viral on the internet.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's statement on the capital's water shortage crisis is drawing criticism from opposition leaders and social media users alike.

Speaking at a BJP public event, Rekha Gupta attributed Delhi's recurring water shortage to extreme summer temperatures, suggesting that a portion of the city's water supply evaporates before reaching consumers.

In a video that surfaced online on June 4, 2026, Gupta said:

"Pani ki kitni dikkat ho rahi hai. Jab itni bhari garmi ho rahi hai, pani jo aata hai wo evaporate ho jata hai beech me kuch pani, to uske karan shortage ho jati hai." (Due to the intense heat, some of the water being supplied evaporates on the way, contributing to shortages across the city.)

Delhi's Ongoing Water Crisis

The comments come at a time when several parts of Delhi, including Janakpuri, Lajpat Nagar and Hauz Khas, have been grappling with water shortages. Residents have repeatedly complained about irregular supply, while others have alleged that the water available is foul-smelling or contaminated with sewage.

With temperatures touching 46 degrees Celsius during the peak summer season, demand for water has surged, further straining the city's supply system.

Opposition Leaders React

Gupta's remarks quickly drew criticism from opposition leaders.

Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak wrote on X:

"These are the thoughts of Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta ji on the water crisis in Delhi. I mean, there should be some limit to foolishness."

Former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj responded sarcastically:

"AIQ CM Rekha Gupta explains – Water evaporation is the cause of water shortage in Delhi. So 'Condensation' should be an upcoming solution."

Lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan also mocked the statement, saying:

"Our gutter gas making chaiwala has spawned many scientists as ministers & CMs. Here is our own CM Rekha Gupta with her scientific nuggets on why there is water shortage!"

Meanwhile, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate posted:

"There is a water crisis in Delhi, and these are the thoughts of its Chief Minister — God save us! The BJP is full of such gems."

The official X handle of the Aam Aadmi Party also took a swipe at Gupta, sharing visuals of waterlogged roads in Delhi and writing:

"Madam, please get this road water to evaporate too."

Social Media Users Join In

The viral clip sparked a wave of reactions online.

One user wrote: "Water gets evaporated... WHAT? Someone should ask her to check the condition of Delhi Jal Board water trucks. Many are poorly maintained, their lids remain open and water spills during transit."

Another user questioned whether Indian policymakers learn from international infrastructure models, arguing that countries such as Japan, the United States and Canada manage water distribution more effectively.

Another joked, "Next they'll say electricity shortages happen because the current gets tired while travelling."

Video Removed After Going Viral

The controversy intensified after the clip was widely circulated online. According to reports, the video was initially broadcast by News24 but was later removed from the channel's platform after it gained traction on social media.

Sharing the footage on Instagram, former Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj wrote: "CM Rekha Gupta strikes again. She says Safeda, Babool and Keekar trees don't give oxygen. And BJP says she will fix pollution in Delhi."

At the NDTV conclave organised on 8 December, she spoke about the government's response to air pollution and tools to measure AQI.

"What is a hotspot? A place with the most pollution. What's the solution? You spray there, you water it. You work to improve the soil. So, you'll spray only on the hotspot," she said.

She added, "Does using a monitor bring down the AQI? AQI is like a temperature which you can know from any instrument, so watering it is the only solution which we are also doing."

Gupta's remarks on pollution had prompted a response from her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal took to X, saying: "The Chief Minister has at least admitted that wherever AQI monitors are installed, water spraying is being done right there so that the truth about pollution doesn't reach the people of Delhi. In other words, a game is afoot to hide the data and show clean air. When did this new science arrive that AQI has now become temperature?"