NEW DELHI, India – Large parts of New Delhi were struggling with acute water shortages on Friday (June 15th) after a neighbouring state cut its supplies at the peak of summer, officials said, according to AFP.

The sprawling Indian capital, with a population of 16 million sweltering in 43 degree Celsius summer heat, relies on four neighbouring states for its water – Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

Haryana, the biggest supplier, cut its flow to the city on Thursday and about three million people have suffered shortages or been completely cut off, according to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), a government agency responsible for water supply.

Several states across India face major challenges over water supply, triggering long-running legal battles over water sharing.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit accused Haryana, which says it has to conserve water for its own residents, of "playing foul" with the capital.

In the peak of summer, New Delhi needs 1,100 million gallons of water every day, according to DJB, but public water providers are able to only supply 835 million gallons.