The Orissa Government today launched an ambitious programme titled 'Operation Trishna' to tackle the impending drinking water scarcity in the state. Several districts are facing a serious drought situation because of poor rainfall during this past monsoon. Launching the programme at the State Secretariat here this afternoon, the Chief Minister, Mr. Naveen Patnaik, said the Government had already received reports about the drying up of tanks and small rivers in different parts of the State. The water levels in wells have also reportedly gone down much earlier than usual.