'Country's rainwater situation not that alarming'

When asked about whether there is any shortage of rainfall in the country, Bansal said that the situation was not that alarming.

"A couple of years back rainwater was even lesser than this year. The situation has improved in the last one week and we hope it would improve further," Bansal said.

"But I am not in a position to answer the questions about the rain forecast," the minister stated.

Bansal also said that the state governments have been asked to resort to rainwater harvesting and to dig tube-wells, water reservoirs to collect water.

"The water table has gone down. At the moment we are providing safe drinking water to the tune of 1,123 billion metric tonnes. Efforts are also being made to reduce the content of arsenic and other harmful contents in drinking water to protect the people," he said.