Although summer hasn’t reached its peak yet, some communities in Odisha are already grappling with a severe water shortage. One striking example is the village of Keshara in Mohana block of Gajapati district, where residents have been struggling for a reliable supply of drinking water.
Frustrated by the inconsistent water supply, particularly in Ward 4, villagers organized a protest. Men and women came together and blocked a major road connecting Mohana and Badagada in the neighboring Ganjam district. In a symbolic gesture, they placed empty water buckets along the road to highlight their plight.
A protester expressed, “We face numerous challenges because water is so scarce here. While other areas receive water, we are left without any.” The demonstration has caused major traffic disruptions, with vehicles stranded on both sides of the road. Local accounts suggest that this water crisis has persisted for two years, with little to no effective intervention from the authorities.
One woman recalled that during last year’s protest, the local Block Development Officer had approved a tube-well. However, officials later claimed that the high elevation of the area prevented a consistent water source from being established. Another protester vowed, “We won’t stop our demonstration until officials come here to discuss and address our issues.”
No comments were obtained from senior administrative officials regarding these ongoing concerns.
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