Acute water scarcity looms large
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 10 2020: Amidst the lockdown, the State is likely to face acute water scarcity as the water volume of Iril River which is a major source of raw water for many water supply schemes has declined drastically during the last couple of weeks.

Notably, many of the water supply schemes which rely on Iril River including the Porompat Water Supply Scheme have already started shutting down since the past few days.

Most water supply schemes which rely on Imphal River had already been compelled to close since the past many days due to the sharp decline in the water volume of the said river.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, one official of Irilbung Water Supply Project informed that the water level of Iril River has been receding by around 6 feet and � inch daily.

He further stated that the same water supply scheme had even stopped supplying water for some days in the recent past and was resumed only after water was diverted to Iril River from Dolaithabi Barrage.

Observing that the present volume of water will hardly last for a week or so, he cautioned that most water supply plants would soon become non-operational.

When asked about alternative arrangements for lifting water for water supply projects, the official ruled out any other possible arrangement except replenishing the water volume of Iril River from other sources.

The Irilbung Water Supply Project supplies water to Wangkhei, Ayangpalli, Kongba Nongthombam Leikai, Keirao, Bamon Kampu and many other places of Imphal and greater Imphal Areas.

Meanwhile, Porompat Water Supply Scheme which supplies potable water to Khurai area, Hatta, Sanjenthong (including Officer's Colony), New Checkon, Top Khongnangkhong, Kongpal among other places of Imphal was forced to close some days back.

Officials at Porompat Water Supply Plant conveyed that they have stopped supplying water to the public as they can no longer draw water from Iril River as the water level has plummeted quite low.

The officials cautioned that the Imphal valley may face acute water scarcity if there is no rainfall in the coming days.

On the other hand, most people have been buying water from private tankers at a much higher rate.

Some locals of Haobam Marak claimed that the price of potable water has doubled during the past couple of weeks.

They said that the price for potable water per 1000 litre has now gone up to Rs 400 from Rs 200.Some water tankers asserted that they could still buy water from private water supply plants.

Saying that the price of potable water depend on the distance of the customers' residence, the water tankers also maintained that shortage of water and fuel has led to the price hike.

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