The severe heatwave sweeping across Odisha has further intensified the drinking water crisis in Mohana area of Gajapati district, leaving residents across all 11 wards grappling with acute water scarcity amid soaring temperatures.

According to reports, the prolonged dry conditions and rising mercury levels have severely disrupted access to safe and regular drinking water, forcing residents to depend on irregular and allegedly untreated water supply for daily needs.

To address the town’s drinking water requirements, infrastructure had earlier been developed under a government project. Two intake wells were constructed near a river for water collection, while two water filtration tanks were installed at an estimated cost of around Rs 10 lakh to ensure the supply of purified drinking water to households.

However, residents alleged that the entire system has now fallen into neglect. The intake wells are reportedly lying in a dilapidated condition, while both filtration tanks have remained non-functional for nearly two years. As a result, treated drinking water is no longer being supplied to several areas.

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Locals claimed that instead of purified water, untreated river water is being directly pumped through pipelines into different wards on alternate days. The situation has triggered growing concern among residents over water quality and potential health hazards.

With fears of water-borne diseases looming large, residents say the crisis has severely affected normal life in the region. Amid the ongoing heatwave, many people are struggling to secure safe drinking water, prompting demands for immediate intervention by the district administration and restoration of the defunct water infrastructure.