SHILLONG: Residents in several localities are facing acute water shortage.
The problem is acute in Rynjah, Dum Dum and parts of Nongthymmai and the scarcity is taking a bigger shape as it is spreading to other localities, said some residents of Rynjah.
Residents of Rynjah complained that they are not getting water since January whereas the other two localities are facing this scarcity for the last three years now.
The residents are dependent on private water carriers and on an average a householder has to purchase about 10 to 12 trailers of water to meet domestic needs.
One trailer costs Rs 350 and on an average each resident has to purchase about 3 to 4 trailers in a week. All affected residents narrated similar tales of water scarcity. Many showed their empty buckets and dry taps while blaming the local Dorbar Shnong, the PHE Department and even the local MLA for not doing much to solve the problem.
A PHE official said that the department has no responsibility regarding distribution of water in the areas under Nongthymmai. The PHE supplies water to other localities for distribution, he added.
To a query he said there is supply from the PHE to these areas though he refused to acknowledge that there was any scarcity in these areas. He has also instructed his junior engineer to inspect the areas from where the complaints have come.
Nongthymmai MLA Jemino Mawthoh, who has been petitioned by his constituents, said this scarcity is not just in his constituency but other parts of Shillong are also reeling from water woes. The legislator said he had raised this issue with the Government as well as in the Assembly several times.
Pointing out that the non-completion of Phase III of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme is a reason behind the current water crisis, Mawthoh said traditional sources of water has also been discontinued leading to the spiraling scarcity.
