The taluk, dependent on rains for its water requirements, is under the throes of acture water scarcity this year.

With the groundwater table hitting the nadir, more than 20 borewells sunk by Town Municipal Council have dried up. It has become difficult to strike water even if one digs to a depth of 1,000 feet.

With the summer at its peak, villagers of Kendrapara are facing acute shortage of water. Due to scanty rainfall and excessive exploitation of groundwater in the last one year, water table in these areas has slid down drastically. Even wells in many areas have dried up since last month.

A man quenches his thirst at a drinking water shed in Balangir.

BHAWANIPATNA: Kalahandi is in the grip of acute water crisis sans rains since September last. Most of the water sources have dried up and farmers are apprehending loss of paddy crops in many minor irrigation ayacut areas.

Blame it on the general elections when millions of people cry for a drop of water across the state.

But thank the state for its decision to dig up 23,000-odd tube-wells, even if that comes at the fag end of summer with time for monsoon to set in.

With the start of summer, the residents of the capital city have begun longing for water.

The demand for water is estimated at 115 million gallons per day (mgd), whereas the supply is only 62mgd, showing over 50 per cent gap in the demand and supply.

At least 20,000 household taps in Behala remained dry on Wednesday following a breach in the water mains.

The breach was caused when a labourer mistakenly hit the pipe while digging Raja Rammohan Roy Road in Panchanantala to lay sewer lines.

Legal Correspondent

PALAKKAD: As the Bharathapuzha and its tributaries go dry with each passing day, the problem of drinking water
turns from bad to worse.

Voters of a village near Sonarpur have decided to boycott the elections this year.

BHUBANESWAR: While the soaring mercury has made people