186 tribal hamlets face water crisis in Tripura

March 24, 2013 07:37 pm | Updated 07:37 pm IST - Agartala

A boy drinks water from a tap on the eve of World Water Day in Agartala on Thursday.

A boy drinks water from a tap on the eve of World Water Day in Agartala on Thursday.

Many interior tribal localities in Tripura are facing acute drinking water crisis mainly caused by the dry spell. The drinking water and sanitation (DWS) department has arranged for supply of water by mobile tankers to help out distressed people.

Minister for DWS Ratan Bhowmik informed that 186 hamlets are suffering from drinking water shortage. “We have arranged 55 tankers to supply water to the affected localities”, he told newsmen.

He said that last year tankers pressed into service to take water in 213 hamlets which shows the situation to have improved comparatively this year. The Minister made the statement after reviewing water crisis and its adversities, in a meeting with officials of his department.

Officials stated that most of the affected areas are situated in North Tripura and Dhalai districts. Some cases of water borne diseases have been reported from these districts.

Eruption of enteric disease and diarrhea are most common during dry spell in remote tribal localities. Drinking of contaminated water from the streams due to drying up of regular water sources have led to diseases resulting in casualties every year.

Minister Bhowmik said DWS officers are constantly monitoring the situation and the appropriate measures taken. “Officers and my department staffs have been requested not to take leave for now”, he added.

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