India
-Gaurav Sharma
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan is grappling with a severe water crisis as a heatwave grips the district, with daily temperatures touching 42°C. Many neighbourhoods report dry taps for the last 10 days, leaving residents and officials struggling to manage drinking water in already arid conditions.
Despite the scarcity, residents allege that municipal tankers reach their areas only once in 4 to 5 days. People in several colonies say this schedule is not enough during the peak summer period and complain that basic needs are difficult to meet.
Jaisalmer faces a severe water crisis during a 42°C heatwave, with residents reporting 10 days of dry taps. PHED Executive Engineer Niranjan Meena attributes this to canal maintenance started May 10th, expecting normal supply restoration via pipelines within 72 hours.
Jaisalmer water crisis: Residents allege irregular supply and delayed response
Speaking with ANI, a local resident says that repeated appeals bring no relief. “No water comes out of the taps. It has been 10 days now without water…We told officers several times and even submitted an application, but nothing happened,” she said. Many neighbours echo similar concerns across informal settlements.
Officials, however, attribute the disruption to planned maintenance. Rajasthan Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Executive Engineer Niranjan Meena states that work on the canal network began on 10 May. Meena explains that supply through the main lines stopped during this period, which has led to distress in several parts of the city.
Jaisalmer water crisis: PHED plans, tanker routes and new supply scheme
Meena tells ANI that the canal work finished a day earlier and that the primary supply lines have now reopened. According to Meena, normal tap water is expected to reach all affected localities within 72 hours, once pressure stabilises and the system runs at full capacity.
Clarifying the emergency arrangements, Meena says tankers are being sent daily to seven fixed points in special kacchi colonies as directed by the District Collector. Meena adds that colonies facing disruption are under continuous monitoring and that a new water supply scheme announced by the Chief Minister will extend pipelines to areas left out earlier.
The India Meteorological Department records 42°C in Jaisalmer on Saturday morning, and the heatwave continues. While officials say restoration is underway and future schemes are planned, residents facing 10 days without regular tap water remain dependent on tankers until full supply returns.
