Champua: Residents of Hudi Sahi village in Rajia panchayat under this block in Keonjhar district are facing acute water crisis during the scorching summer heat, sources said. Over 300 people live in more than 50 houses in this village.
All residents belong to various tribal communities and work as daily wagers. The severe heatwave is exacerbating the water woes in the village, impacting their lives, sources added. According to reports, the tribal residents have been living in the village for decades. Around 10 years ago, a tube well was installed in the village to alleviate drinking water issues.
However, in the past four months, the tube well has become defunct, cutting the only potable water source for the residents during summer. Some families have to travel half a kilometer distance to collect drinking water and have to wait for hours to get their quota. Additionally, for bathing and other purposes, the residents of the village have to rely on a pond, located 2 kilometres away. Local Sarpanch Santosh Kumar Nayak stated that the matter has been communicated to the authorities. Once the election code of conduct is lifted, a new tube well is expected to be installed, he said.
