As Latur in Maharashtra is making headlines for imposition of section 144 over water scarcity, tribals in the Pushprajgarh block in Anuppur district are staring at similar situation. The locals are forced to skip meals occasionally so that they do not feel thirsty.
In village Dhundhui and others in Dhuradhur gram panchayat in Pushprajgarh block in Anuppur district are facing acute water shortage. Locals claim that at times, they have to go to sleep hungry as they don’t have water to cook food and drink.
On April 3, the locals had held a special meeting in the village and decided to urge commissioner for installation of hand pumps in their area. They also decided to urge administration to supply them with water through tankers till the time the hand pumps are installed.
The locals told the commissioner that a dam is situated close to the village but there are several ghats between the village and the dam which make the transportation tough.
The locals alleged that the ponds in their village have gone dry and most of the handpumps are defunct. Those which are working are not able to spew sufficient water so water scarcity is getting murkier by every passing day.
The affected residents complained to Japnpad officers and Zila panchayat but nothing happened. The commissioner has assured them to address their water woes shortly.