Water shortage in Gujarat’s Morbi forces people to dig holes in the ground

Women draw water from virda (small pits) dug in the dry bed of river Machhu near Maliya town in Morbi district, Gujarat, on Sunday, April 1, 2018. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Some parts of Maliya town are facing drinking water shortage as supply through tankers by the town municipality is very erratic. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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Locals in Mova no Timbo in ward no 1 of Maliya municipality say that tankers supply water to them once in 11 days, leaving them with no option but to search for water from sources like these small waterholes in the river whose stream had dried long ago. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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According to the people, many of these holes becomes salty as the weather turns hotter. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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The state of Gujarat is undergoing a severe water crisis. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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According to the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL), 10,000 villages and 167 urban centres of Gujarat depend on the Narmada for their drinking water. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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In early March, the Gujarat government had sanctioned Rs 20.66 crore for emergency water works in Morbi district. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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The Gujarat government had decided in February this year not to provide Narmada water for irrigation after March 15. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
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At the same time, the state government also decided to provide Narmada water only for drinking purpose till July 31. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
READ: When a river recedes