Water crisis: searching for water in the morning, sun and waiting all day long.
As soon as it is four or five in the morning, there is hustle and bustle in many villages of Shankargarh block. But this is not the normal everyday hustle and bustle. Here people leave their homes not in preparation to go to work or send their children to school, but worried about collecting water. With buckets in their hands, utensils on their heads and worried faces, women, elderly people and sometimes even children are seen walking long distances in search of water.
Shankargarh area of Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh is currently facing a severe water crisis. The situation is such that in some villages people have to walk several kilometers to get drinking water. The heat is so intense that the ground starts heating up by noon, but the need for water forces people to go out.
The biggest irony is that this crisis has emerged at a time when North India is in the grip of severe heat. In many cities the temperature has reached around 45 degrees Celsius. In such a situation, lack of water becomes not just an inconvenience but a big question related to health and life.
The villagers say that many hand pumps have dried up. There are long lines at whatever is left. Many times, water is not available even after waiting for hours. Some people say that there is some hope only if one reaches early in the morning, otherwise only disappointment is faced later.
The problem is even greater for women. Along with managing the house, the responsibility of collecting water also mostly lies on their shoulders. Many women say that a major part of the day is spent just fetching water. This struggle between cooking, taking care of children and other work has become a part of everyday life.
Along with water, there is also a power crisis, making the situation even more difficult in the summer.
The problems of the people of Shankargarh are not limited to water only. Power outages in many areas have made the situation even more difficult. Where there is dependence on water motors or supply systems, power cuts have a direct impact on water availability.
People say that frequent power cuts in summer have become a big problem. It becomes difficult to live in homes when fans and coolers stop working. In many places, there is no relief even at night. It is not easy to spend the night without electricity amidst hot air and humidity.
The impact of this entire crisis is most visible on children and the elderly. Doctors say that extreme heat and lack of water increase the risk of dehydration. Many people have started facing problems like dizziness, weakness and headache. The situation is considered more serious for small children and the elderly.
Some people of the village say that sometimes they are not even able to get clean drinking water. They are forced to use whatever water is available, which also increases the risk of disease.
Local people say that they complained to the administration several times, but have not received adequate relief yet. Tankers were sent to some places, but people say that they are not enough for such a large population. Many villages are still waiting for regular water supply.
The same crisis every summer, but a permanent solution remains elusive.
Local people say that this problem is not new at all. Every year the situation worsens in summer, but this time the water crisis seems more serious. The reason is that the heat is increasing more than before and water sources are drying up rapidly.
Some elders say that earlier there used to be wells and small water sources around the village, but with time they either dried up or were no longer in use. Now the dependence on hand pumps and government supply has increased. When these also start responding, a big crisis arises for the people.
Experts believe that just sending tankers will not provide a permanent solution to the problem. There is a need to work long-term on water conservation, rainwater harvesting and saving local water sources.
The youth of the village say that the biggest sadness is that summer comes every year, crisis arises every year, but there is very little discussion about a permanent solution. People hope that the situation will change in the future, but for now their day begins with the search for water and ends with the same worry.
The hottest cities in the country are often discussed for their record temperatures, but the story of areas like Shankargarh reminds us that the real problem is not just the heat, but the struggle to survive in that heat. When there is no water at home, the electricity fails and you have to walk several kilometers to fetch a bucket of water, then summer is not just a season – it becomes a daily battle.
