Odisha govt moves to mitigate drinking water scarcity

As many as 28 of 30 districts in Odisha are faced with severe drought because of erratic and deficient rainfall during the south-west monsoon in 2015.

A total crop area of 1.5 million hectares spread over 29,176 villages in 235 blocks have suffered damage of 33 per cent or more.

Read more from our special coverage on "DROUGHT"

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• Only 17% water stock left in Maharashtra
• Karnataka faces worst drought in 40 years
• Gujarat water crisis: Dams and reservoirs go dry as state races against time
• Irrigated winter crop in Bengal has taken a hit

The state is also facing a drinking water crisis.

“Compared to previous years, the drinking water crisis has been severe. The state government is taking measures so that the crisis does aggravate in Odisha,” said a government official.

In urban areas, the state housing and urban development department has identified 422 water scarce areas in 24 urban local bodies (ULBs). Recently, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated 100 water supply projects at a cost of Rs 63 crore, which is expected to serve 270,000 people in 41 ULBs.

According to the official statement of special relief commissioner’s office, 511 tankers have been engaged and 987 syntex tanks procured to meet the water requirement in urban areas. Similarly, 451 tankers have been engaged in rural areas. Besides, 725 mobile vans have been deployed to repair defunct tube wells and piped water supply projects in rural areas.

“The problem is not there much in rural areas. Water tankers have been deployed in large numbers and 700 more vehicles are running for repair and maintenance,” said P K Mohapatra, secretary, rural development department and special relief commissioner.