Rainy season is still far away. As expected drinking water scarcity has occurred. Major rivers too have become shallower as the water level has gone down low. Water scarcity will hit all irrespective of where one lives. Almost all the scantily preserved water bodies will dry up. Drinking water scarcity continues to hit all yet we are not learning the need for preserving more water bodies. The Government decision to dig a big pond at Lamphel will go a long way not only in preserving flood water but also in protecting the ecology at Imphal areas. Water preserved at such pond can be used in feeding water reservoirs scattered here and there. During the rainy season flood water inundates low lying areas at Uripok. When the Nambul River is in spate the culvert at Shamushang is closed down to block entry of flood water at Lamphel areas. If there is a big lake like pond the excess water can be stored for use during the dry season. Every district headquarters be it at hills or valley must have large water reservoir. The state Government must take it up as a policy to dig out huge pond at the area, which cannot be used either for construction of building or cultivation. Because in future the demand for water will increase manifold. One decade back Singda could supply enough water to the water supply schemes scattered at different areas of the state capital. Now it is almost dry. If we have felt problem now it will be greater in future. Keeping the future in view steps have to be taken to preserve more water bodies to store adequate water to meet the growing demand for water. Water should be stored at source. That will be less expensive than constructing multi crore dam along the course of the river. Pitiable scene is seen at different areas of Imphal East and West. The river side dwellers lay their own pipe all along the road side and water is pulled up from river using water pump. Then the water is stored in pond for drinking. At Tera in Imphal west young men are seen carrying jerry cans on the two wheelers to collect drinking water from the areas where tap water is available. Such scene is ominous and shameful. We have hills and we have rivers that run near every locality. Yet the same water cannot be used. It reflects dearth of ideas in the minds of those at the helms of affairs about how to use river water. But some of the engineers of the PHED have become millionaires. They have bought land and buildings worth crores of rupees. Does not it sound funny? With a few thousands pay can they buy such costly land and building. Surely secret dealing naturally. Our engineers have ceased to play the role of advisers. If they do not advise our executive how will the latter know about the methods to be adopted to ensure regular supply of drinking water to the consumers? It is time engineers of the concerned department are pulled up and assigned the task of evolving strategy for storing rain water and also for giving such water to the consumers.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/drinking-water-scarcity/
