Ranchi: Residents across multiple areas of the state capital including Harmu, Argora, Pundag, and Dibdih are facing an acute water crisis, with tap water supply disrupted for several days.
Families dependent on RMC water supply are forced to purchase water jars and bottles for daily needs, severely impacting their household routines and budgets.
"I haven't bathed for four days due to the water supply disruption," said Sourav Kumar Pandey, an Anadpuri Harmu resident, highlighting that such issues are recurring in their area.
Ajay Sarangi, a resident of Pundag, stated, "We're compelled to buy drinking water jars and RMC water tanks for other purposes. Daily water purchases strain our budget, but we have no other alternative."
According to drinking water and sanitation department officials, the crisis originated on Wednesday when a major leakage occurred in a 450 mm diameter pipeline near Kathal More, part of the Rukka-Simaliya underground reservoirs supply line.
The public health engineering department (PHED) halted water supply from the Juhi pipeline near the L&T new plot to prevent further wastage.
Adding to the residents' woes, some areas lack water supply despite pipeline installation two years ago.
Chandramohan Mishra from Yamuna Nagar, Harmu, stated, "Despite pipeline connection in 2022, we still await water supply. We depend on borewell water and purchase water tanks from RMC during summers."
The crisis has been compounded by water quality issues in Doranda area.
Residents around the old High Court, Jain Mandir Road, Yunus Chowk, Qureshi Mohalla, Beldar Mohalla, Dhobi Mohalla, and Kali Mandir Road reported receiving contaminated water three days ago.
"Contaminated water has been flowing since Sunday. Many unknowingly filled their tanks with polluted water, realizing only after using it for drinking and cooking. Some residents accidentally consumed the contaminated water," said Belan Hussain, a Doranda resident.
A water board department official stated, "The contamination occurred due to ongoing repair work, allowing impurities to enter the pipeline. The issue took two days to resolve, but clean water supply has now been restored."