In parched Akola, villagers keep precious water under lock & key

Akola: "Desperate situations demand desperate measures" is visible in villages across Akola district which is scorching under blistering summer which is exacerbated by acute water crisis. With mercury hovering above 44°C, villagers of the "saline belt" are battling a severe drinking water shortage. Taps are there, but no water flows through them.

Situation in one such village, Ugwa, illustrates how the water crisis has reached alarming proportions where residents are forced to lock water stored in storage tanks and barrels to prevent water theft. Every household in Ugwa village is seen storing drinking water in large plastic barrels and tanks sufficient to last for about a month. Ugwa resident Chanda Vakte said, "Water is now more precious than money." Instead of locking her home while venturing out, Vakte, like many from the village, secures water barrels kept outside with lock.

Villagers say water from government pipelines is supplied only once a month — and sometimes even after 45 or 60 days — and that too for a day or two. To survive, they are forced to store as much water as possible. The situation is similar in most villages of the district, sources said. "In case of water theft, we either have to wait another two months or buy tanker water for Rs600," says Vakte. Another villager, Sushma Deshmukh, too has also locked water barrels to prevent theft.

The water crisis has even impacted marriages. Villagers say young men are struggling to find brides as families refuse alliances citing severe water scarcity. Where there is no water, we will not send our daughters, families say. Moreover, major events like weddings are now rescheduled as arranging potable water costs a lot of money.

"84 khedi scheme exists only on paper," says Sachin Baha, opposition leader in the local gram panchayat. "Despite several appeals, the administration has failed to address our water woes. If the problem persists, we will launch an agitation," he adds.