Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Thursday directed all civic agencies to make rainwater harvesting systems fully operational before the monsoon and set June 30 as the deadline to complete desilting, repair and maintenance works across the Capital.

At a review meeting on monsoon preparedness, Mr. Sandhu asked agencies to assess the total water storage and recharge capacity of existing rainwater harvesting systems in Delhi. According to officials, the Delhi Development Authority, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council were instructed to complete pending structural repairs, cleaning of pits and chambers, and maintenance of rooftop pipes before June. Mr. Sandhu said the city needed a clear assessment of the installed capacity of rainwater harvesting structures to help future planning and water conservation efforts.