ABP News investigation: The disturbing reality of 10 states struggling for every drop of water

New Delhi: Ten states of the country are facing acute shortage of potable water. The droughts have annihilated crop, but now the condition is so grim that people are struggling for every drop of drinking water. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bundelkhand (lies in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh), and Telangana. ABP News travelled to 8 of these states to take stock of the acute water shortage. We found that in some places, drinking water was guarded by armed people. In some places, police had to be deployed to keep public order. Bundelkhand In Bundelkhand, the situation is serious. People are not getting employment under MNREGA. In villages, only old people and women have remained. Men have gone outside villages for work. In Bundelkhand’s Tikamgarh, men with guns were seen guarding water sources. Rains of minimum 52 days have been reduced to 23 days. Marathwada Marathwada is worst hit. People were seen fighting for even a drop of water. To avoid a riot for water, Section 144 had been imposed in Latur. Government gives 200 litre water in a week. People wear dirty clothes for 8 days. 12 thousand litre tanker empties in 10 minutes. Karnataka In Beedar, a ‘gharha’ fills up in hours. People use half a bucket of water to bathe. The doors of Narsimh temple had to be closed for the devotees for the shortfall of water. In North Karnataka, 12 districts are under severe drought for the past 3 years. Chhattisgarh ABP News found in its investigation that people climb a hill to get water in Chattisgarh’s Balrampur. 5 cities are under severe drought. For 800 people, there is a small water source in Balrampur. In case of family functions, a ‘panchayat’ is organised. Telangana Telangana is struggling with drought for three years. People have serious problems with potable water. Even submersible pumps are not working as the ground water has gone below dangerous levels.