Severe Water Crisis Leaves 23,000 Households Dry
Since August 29, Guwahati has been grappling with a severe water crisis, impacting around 23,000 households across the city. The disruption stems from technical issues in the JICA-assisted South Central Guwahati water supply project, which supplies water to several critical areas of the city. Despite initial expectations of resolving the issue by August 31, the disruption has persisted, leaving many residents without access to basic necessities.
GMDW&SB Attributes Crisis to Pipeline Interconnection Work
The Guwahati Metropolitan Drinking Water and Sewage Board (GMDW&SB) has pointed to ongoing interconnection work on the main transmission pipeline as the primary cause of the water crisis. This work was undertaken to facilitate the commissioning of seven new district metered areas (DMAs) under the water supply project. The new DMAs are intended to expand coverage to areas such as Kharghuli, Chitrachal Path, Nabagraha Hills, and 17 other localities, adding 15,000 new households to the network. However, the interconnection work has temporarily halted water supply in all DMAs under the Ramsahill, Amiya Nagar, and Leechubagan reservoirs, exacerbating the water crisis.
Originally scheduled to be completed by August 31, the water supply interruption has now stretched into its sixth day, with no clear end in sight. As a result, thousands of residents have been left scrambling to find alternative water sources. Many have resorted to purchasing water from private suppliers, often at inflated prices, while others have struggled to make contact with Jal Board officials to receive updates on when the supply will resume. The extended outage has sparked frustration and concern among residents, who have had to endure significant inconvenience and expense.
Residents Call for Swift Resolution and Better Communication
The prolonged disruption has prompted calls from residents for a swift resolution and better communication from the GMDW&SB. Many have expressed frustration at the lack of timely information regarding the outage and have urged the authorities to expedite the necessary repairs to restore normal water supply. The situation has also highlighted the need for more resilient infrastructure to prevent similar crises in the future, as well as improved coordination between government agencies and the public during such events.
Authorities Working to Restore Supply and Expand Coverage
Despite the ongoing water crisis, the GMDW&SB remains committed to resolving the issue and completing the expansion of the water supply network. The commissioning of the new DMAs is expected to significantly improve water availability in the affected areas once the work is completed. In the meantime, the Board has assured residents that it is working around the clock to address the technical issues and restore water supply as quickly as possible. The authorities are also exploring options to provide temporary relief to the worst-affected areas, including increasing the availability of water through tankers and other emergency measures.
The Need for Sustainable Water Management
As Guwahati continues to grow and urbanize, the recent water crisis underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices and robust infrastructure. The expansion of the water supply network through projects like the JICA-assisted initiative is a step in the right direction, but it also highlights the challenges of maintaining and upgrading critical infrastructure in a rapidly developing city. Moving forward, it will be essential for the authorities to prioritize long-term planning and investment in water resources to ensure that residents have reliable access to this vital resource, even in the face of unforeseen disruptions.
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