Raichur: With scorching temperatures intensifying, the water crisis in Raichur district has reached alarming levels. At least 65 villages are grappling with severe water shortages as lakes dry up and rivers recede.
Despite repeated appeals by villagers to Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs), taluk panchayat officials, and elected representatives, many feel their pleas are falling on deaf ears. Reports from the DC’s office confirm widespread distress across the district.
Mallikarjun Uppar of a youth forum in Maski criticized the administration for allegedly retaliating against concerned residents. “Instead of solving the issue, officials in Benchamaradi filed police complaints against villagers asking for water,” he said.
Ranganath Police Patil, district president of the State Farmers’ Association, highlighted the dwindling water levels in both the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. Many riverbank villages now face an acute drinking water crisis, with even canal-linked lakes unable to meet the demand.
ZP data shows rising dependence on private tube wells, with 23 in Maski, 21 in Lingasugur, 12 in Raichur, and 9 in Devdurg. A total of 211 private borewells have been identified across the district to support water supply, especially in anticipation of poor rainfall.
Meanwhile, over 50% of the district’s 270 lakes have dried up, including 14 lakes that are completely barren. RO plants intended to provide clean drinking water are also failing, with 165 of 704 units non-functional due to poor upkeep.
ZP CEO Rahul Pandey has announced a contingency plan with a proposed budget of ₹6 crore to tackle water scarcity over the next six months. However, delays in government approval could render the plan ineffective if not implemented before summer ends.
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