Ongoing dry spell triggers water scarcity in rural areas

Agartala, Apr 30, 2024, By Our Correspondent

The Drinking Water & Sanitation (DWS) department has taken initiatives to tide over the ongoing dry spell due to heatwave which is sweeping the entire state, an official said on Tuesday.DWS secretary Abhishek Singh has held a review meeting with the senior officials of the department, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECLK) and Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) to take stock of the situation in the rural and interior areas.In the meeting, Singh asked the engineers to upkeep the water sources created under Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure supply of water to the habitations. Besides, he also laid emphasis on speedy completion of water source projects for better water supply during the dry spell.He categorically stated to arrange water supply by engaging tankers to the habitations where water sources get dried up due to the long dry spell.As many as 313 habitations, mostly tribal and hilly areas have been identified as sensitive where water scarcity is acute. “Water supply is being ensured to the sensitive habitations by engaging water tankers. More tankers will be engaged if the situation needs”, said a senior official DWS official.A toll free number (1905) has been activated for the people to call if they have any problem of drinking water.Singh asked the TSECL and TREDA to ensure electricity supply through the state so that water supply doesn’t get affected due to power supply. Reports said water scarcity has already hit the normal life in some areas of Khowai, Unakoti and Dhalai district because most of water sources get dried due to the long dry spell. Apart from this, electricity appears a major issue to operate pump houses in interior areas.The Drinking Water & Sanitation (DWS) department has taken initiatives to tide over the ongoing dry spell due to heatwave which is sweeping the entire state, an official said on Tuesday.DWS secretary Abhishek Singh has held a review meeting with the senior officials of the department, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECLK) and Tripura Renewable Energy Development Agency (TREDA) to take stock of the situation in the rural and interior areas.In the meeting, Singh asked the engineers to upkeep the water sources created under Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure supply of water to the habitations. Besides, he also laid emphasis on speedy completion of water source projects for better water supply during the dry spell.He categorically stated to arrange water supply by engaging tankers to the habitations where water sources get dried up due to the long dry spell.As many as 313 habitations, mostly tribal and hilly areas have been identified as sensitive where water scarcity is acute. “Water supply is being ensured to the sensitive habitations by engaging water tankers. More tankers will be engaged if the situation needs”, said a senior official DWS official.A toll free number (1905) has been activated for the people to call if they have any problem of drinking water.Singh asked the TSECL and TREDA to ensure electricity supply through the state so that water supply doesn’t get affected due to power supply.  Reports said water scarcity has already hit the normal life in some areas of Khowai, Unakoti and Dhalai district because most of water sources get dried due to the long dry spell. Apart from this, electricity appears a major issue to operate pump houses in interior areas.