SHILLONG: Fighting against COVID-19 would be an indomitable task with some places on the outskirts of Shillong facing severe water scarcity.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Nineclifford Ryntathiang, secretary of Mawkasiang locality, said supply of adequate water is needed to ensure that people follow the hygiene regulations of washing hands with soap and water.
Ryntathiang, along with a few female residents, was standing in line to get their buckets filled with water from a locality tap. The water supply is for three to four hours in the evening, “sometimes from 3-7pm and at times till 6pm”, said the headman.
“Our main problem is water, which is not sufficient. One family will probably get 4-5 buckets but they will get more if they come early,” he said.
A lady waiting in the queue at 4.50 pm said they have been waiting since 2 pm. Ryntathiang said it is the season and hope the water problem will be solved in summer.
Surprisingly, the houses in Mawkasiang in Mylliem block do not have water connections. If water is not sufficient then residents have to buy water from pick-up trucks. They have to shell out Rs 350-400 for 2,000 litres.
“The village is getting essential goods but water is a huge issue for over 165 households. In this time of crisis, the Dorbar Shnong has created awareness about COVID-19 and the residents have been asked to buy sanitisers and mask,” said Ryntathiang.
Most of the locals are daily wage earners and there is not much farming in the locality.
“We do not know whether these people have received Rs 1,000. They need to go to the bank and find out whenever the curfew is lifted,” he added.
Case of Tynring
A little further is the picturesque village of Tynring. A 38-year-old resident, Leedress Rynghang, said people have to buy water as “there is a scarcity”.
Headman W Nongrum said awareness programmes are being conducted at Tynring for COVID-19 while also stressing that there is water scarcity.
“Not more than five people are to assemble. As for water, people will have to purchase from the water tanks. There are masks that we receive from NEIGRIHMS but then there are many who have not received any mask,” he said.
The headman informed that restrictions are being imposed on people entering the village and those who move out to Shillong have passes to take essential items.
Tynring has a household of 500 and there are families who are getting the ration whereas there are those who do not have ration cards are being helped by NGOs and the dorbar shnong.
Bethany staffer
Nongrum said there is one woman in the village who is an employee of Bethany Hospital and that she has gone into self-quarantine. When asked about stigmatisation, he stressed the need for solidarity in fight against the virus and said the Dorbar is running awareness among villagers and appealing to them to not discriminate against anyone.
“She worked as the store keeper and did not deal directly with patients. She is in quarantine now and there is no need for panic. This message has been sent to all in the village and the Dorbar is doing as much. We have to be united in this time of crisis,” he added.
