April 27th 2024.
Residents in two locked panchayats under the Keonjhar district of Odisha are facing severe drinking water scarcity due to the ongoing heatwave. This has disrupted their daily lives and made it extremely difficult for them to access clean drinking water. The villages in this block are particularly affected as the tube wells, which are their primary source of water, have stopped functioning. Upon further investigation, it has been found that the groundwater level has significantly decreased, causing the tube wells to become non-operational.
According to sources, more than 800 families residing in nine villages are struggling with this issue. These villages include Daliki, Pitanau, Malipasi, Saramundi, Junapasi, Raighati, Siadimalia, and Haradabadi. However, other villages in the same block are not facing a similar problem. The situation is particularly challenging for the women in these nine villages as they have to walk for more than five kilometers every day to fetch water from creeks and other sources. To make matters worse, over 90% of the villagers work as casual laborers and do not have the financial means to afford water.
Despite the implementation of mega drinking water projects in other parts of the block, the nine villages mentioned above have been overlooked. The villagers have made several complaints to the block officials, but their pleas have not been addressed. When contacted, the block development officer, Soumyashree Panigrahi, admitted that there is a severe drinking water scarcity in these nine villages. To alleviate the situation, drinking water is being supplied through two tankers. Additionally, Panigrahi has written to senior officials for the installation of four tube wells in Junapasi and Malipasi villages. However, the installation process can only begin after receiving orders from higher authorities.
Panigrahi also mentioned that 178 complaints regarding drinking water scarcity have been received from various villages in the block. Out of these, 176 have been resolved, and efforts are being made to address the remaining two complaints as soon as possible. It is heartening to see that the authorities are taking steps to resolve this issue and ensure that the villagers have access to clean drinking water. Let us hope that the situation improves soon for the residents of these nine affected villages.
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