Jeypore: The Jagannath Sagar and Neelkanth Sagara lakes have dried up as restoration work is ongoing, leaving no water in both reservoirs. The situation is similar in the Govardhan Munda pond. The Sati River has turned into a trickle, and nearby water sources have dried up. Due to the impact of climate change and insufficient rainfall infiltration into the ground, groundwater levels in Jeypore city are depleting.
According to departmental data, the groundwater level in 2021-22 ranged from 2.25 meters to 12.45 meters. By 2023-24, it dropped to 1.53 meters to 12.29 meters, indicating a decline of 1.72 meters over the last two years. A decade ago, digging 20 to 30 feet in Jeypore city would yield water, but now borewells must be drilled to depths of 150 to 300 feet. Even at 150 feet, only 1.5 inches of water is available, just enough for a single family’s daily needs. Currently, borewell drilling costs between ₹200,000 and ₹300,000, but due to substandard project implementation, results have not been effective.
To supply water to residents, the Public Health Department has installed 400 tube wells, out of which 20 have become non-functional even before the summer. The drying up of Jagannath Sagar and Neelkanth Sagara has also rendered more than 20 tube wells inactive in Ward 28. In some areas, borewells must be drilled as deep as 400 feet, and 10-20% of them are failing. In hilly regions, various water sources have dried up, leading to this crisis. The previous state government allocated crores of rupees under the Mukta Yojana to improve groundwater levels.
The departmental SDO, Chittaranjan Behera, stated that repairs will be carried out in blocks and urban areas. However, many old tube wells have not been properly maintained, leading to insufficient water supply during peak summer. Some tube wells release iron-contaminated water, while others emit foul-smelling water. Residents have demanded a survey and repair of all tube wells by the Public Health Department.
In slum areas, hundreds of people depend on a single tube well. Many of these residents leave for work during the day and return in the evening, requiring water for various household activities. Since the public health department’s piped water supply remains shut in the evening, tube wells are the only alternative, increasing the urgency of repairing non-functional ones.
According to the 2011 Census, Jaypur city had over 19,000 households, which has now exceeded 25,000. The population has reached nearly 100,000, significantly increasing water demand. Officials believe that maintaining the water levels of the Sati River would prevent a water crisis.
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