Patnagarh: Water is a perennially scare substance in Pandaripani village under Patnagarh block in Bolangir district.
Now, with the mercury levels soaring with each day, water is almost non-existent here and residents are yearning for this most important substance.
Comprising of 550 tribals, around 110 families dwell in this village that is located just 25 km from the block office.
While four tube-wells were sunk to meet the water requirements of the tribals in the village, two are lying defunct, while the other two release water contaminated with fluoride, which is not fit for consumption.
Locals asserted that the administration was doing little to ameliorate the sufferings of the people here.
Left with no other option, the tribals have dug pits from where they extract water, which is filtered using a cloth and, subsequently, use it for drinking purpose.
Moreover, the contaminated water is responsible for the spread of various diseases in the village.
Except for hollow assurances, the villagers have got nothing so far.
With the onset of summer every year, tribals here experience water scarcity.
Ironically, the local authorities feign ignorance about the water woes of the tribals.