Taps in Manipur homes, Univ hostels run dry as state reels under acute water crisis

Reported by Donald Sairem

Taps in Manipur homes, even Manipur University hostels are running dry. The state is reeling under one of its worst water crisis in 25 years. The reason – rivers of Manipur have dried up due to less rainfall, mindless cutting down of trees disturbing the ecological balance resulting in one of the worst dry spells for the northeastern state.
Families are being forced to buy water from private water suppliers at a cost of Rs 600 per 1000 litres or ferry water for drinking and domestic purposes from faraway places.
Hostellers at the Manipur University are mostly surviving by buying drinking water from canteens and stores to cope up with the crisis.
The Imphal river, also known as the Turel Achouba in Kangpokpi district in the state which is the main source of water for people leaving in the valley has now dried up. What is left of the mighty river that is the lifeline, are little puddles of water.
It may be mentioned that the last time the river dried up like this was in 1997.
The wells from which residents of Sandang Senba Maring Village in Kangpokpi draw water have dried up, and the community water tank is dry as there is no pipe connection to fill the the tank up.
What is worse is the fact that the private water suppliers are fixing rates as per their wish due to the lack of any government department monitoring. With the government agencies yet to act, people of the water crisis–hit areas are left at the mercy of these fleecing private water suppliers.

By Lipika Roy

Also Read : Manipur DGP says police on high alert after govt revokes SoO with KNA and ZRA