Heat Wave: CMC yet to come up with water kiosks in Cuttack

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack/Bolangir: Normal life across Odisha particularly Western, interior and coastal districts of the State has been completely paralysed due to the prevailing heat wave conditions.

The drinking water crisis has compounded the miseries of the people especially those coming to the millennium city of Cuttack as the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) is yet to set up temporary drinking water kiosks.

Due to lack of drinking water outlets, people are now depending on several road side vendors selling sugarcane juice, lassi to quench their thirst.

"After Cyclone Fani the situation has become worse as there is not a single tree under which we can rest. I had come to visit a temple in Cuttack but there is no drinking water facility here," said a visitor.

On the other hand, CMC officials tried to shrug off their responsibility by stating that a number of private institutions have set up drinking water kiosks at different places in the city.

"We have made arrangements of drinking water facilities at 70 points in the city. As there are 2800 tube wells, we don't think there should be drinking water crisis in Cuttack," said CMC Commissioner Sarat Chandra Nayak.

Apart from Cuttack, the heat wave has also affected normal life for the residents in Bolangir.  Markets, bus stands and other community places are wear a deserted look after 10 AM as people are forced to stay indoors due to rise in the day temperature.

"The heat is unbearable while water and electricity problem is adding to our woes," alleged a local.

As per the local Met office forecast, heat wave condition will prevail in Odisha for the next three days. The mecury in the interior and western Odisha and other parts will record temperature above 40 degree Celsius, informed sources.