Eravathukunnu, in the Kommeri ward of Kozhikode Corporation, is one of the areas which has been facing severe water scarcity this March.
But unlike in other wards, relief came to this hilly region in the form of a few dedicated youngsters who took it upon themselves to distribute water to the needy.
Located close to the biggest water tank in the State built under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-aided project four years ago, Eravathukunnu does not benefit from it in any manner. Pipelines had not been laid to distribute water from the tank to the area. The region received water from the local water supply scheme. But with just two fast-drying wells, the supply does not meet the demand, sources said.
There was drinking water scarcity here in the past as well. Arrangements were made by the village office and the Corporation to distribute water in tankers.
But, as the summer was early this year, none of the agencies had made arrangements for water supply. Thus, it was completely on the people to procure water.
Ward councillor Kavita Arun took the initiative with the help of a few youngsters who would procure water from the well of a household near the Valayanadu Devi temple and supply it to needy people free-of-cost once or twice a week. Initially, they used to procure water from Ms. Arun’s home but the well started drying up.
The youngsters, Mujeeb, Sajeer, Zakir, Manaf, and Safarudeen engage in water supply when they have spare time after their vocation.
“We supply 8 to 9 buckets of water per household. Yet, there are bound to be complaints since we cannot maintain a steady supply due to various reasons,” Ms. Arun said.
