W
ith each passing day, the drought situation in Bihar and Jharkhand is getting worse. And with people getting more and more anxious, some are resorting to desperate measures, to try and minimise the impact of the drought.
The pumps have run dry. And hope is fading fast for residents of Amraha village near Patna.
"Water has dried up in most areas around the village. Water table seems to have fallen drastically in the area," said Umesh Kumar, villager.
There is only one handpump in Amraha for about 400 residents. And caste politics is already muddying the simmering water war here. The handpumps are mostly near upper caste homes and some villagers say they don't allow others to use them.
Manju Devi has a pump near her house, and she justifies rationing of water.
"See, I m not stopping anyone from drawing water here. But it is completely unfair of people to come here and take a bath," said Manju Devi.
Blockades are becoming common in neighbouring Jharkhand as well. Farmers are demanding they be included in the Below Poverty Line list, so that they get benefits like cheaper grains and pulses, even though they don't qualify. They want the government to take quick action to help them fight the drought.
But there doesn't seem to be any silver lining in sight.
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