Kokkada, Kaukrodi face water crisis

Most of the villages in the state are reeling under water crisis. Many areas which had not faced acute water shortage are facing severe problem this year.

Nellyadi, Kaukrodi and Kokkada villages in the region are feeling the pinch of dry season already.
More than 50 families living at Mannagundi and Boothaladka dalit colonies in Kaukrodi village have been facing water scarcity this time, which has compelled the family members here to travel kilometres to get water to meet their daily requirements.

They have been pleading before people in distant places who have their own wells to lend them containers of water. Most of these families are coolie workers, who have to make arrangements for their water supply in the morning, before heading to their day’s work.

“We used to get water from the open well located near the colony. But this time the well has gone dry. We have been reeling under shortage of water over last two months. We have complained to the Gram Panchayat but our plea has fallen on deaf ears. Though a tank has been built near the colony, the authorities have not provided connectivity to the tank,” said Thomas, a resident of the colony.

At Boladabail in Kokkada village, the situation is no different. There are another 50 families living in the area facing similar situation. The underground water level has depleted to great extent in the area and almost all the wells in the area either have dried up completely or have very little water.

The residents have been treading one kms path to get water. Though new borewells have been dug in the area, no electric connection has been provided. Malligemajalu, Bailangadi, Onitharu in Kokkada too are facing acute shortage of water. About six years ago, a vented dam was built across a water source in the region at a cost of Rs seven lakh but since there were  some technical problems, the GP has never bother to set things right.

Padubettu, Gadikallu, Baithrodi, Patrame villages in Nellyadi have water scarcity. In cities and town, at least the authorities supply water in tanks but there is nobody to listen to the plea of the rural folks, say most of the residents living in these areas.