75 villages in Navsari facing acute shortage of water

SURAT: Vasda and Chikhli talukas of Navsari district are facing an acute shortage of water due to drying up of rivers and ponds and depletion of groundwater resources. Shortage of water is unheard of in these areas as they receive average rainfall of 2,000mm in a year. But people living in the hilly and forest areas of Vasda and Chikhli talukas are for the past two years buying water for themselves and their cattle’s needs.

Over one lakh people are affected by an acute shortage of water this summer in the 40 villages of Vasda and 35 villages of Chikhli talukas of Navsari district. Khata Amba, Khammbhla, Mankunia, Bilmoda, Gangpur, Khadakia, Ravania, Chikatiya, Lakadbari, Bhinar, Vangan and Ghodabari villages in Vasda taluka and Rumla and Mandav Kharach villages in Chikhli taluka are facing severe water scarcity . Of the 4,750 hand-pumps in Chikhli taluka and 5,319 in Vasda taluka, 875 are not working, water supply department sources said.

Anant Patel, Congress MLA from Vasda, said, “Almost all local rivers and rivulets have run dry. Due to depletion of groundwater resources, we have to dig up to 300 feet to get water. People have to walk long distances to get water. They are spending Rs400 for a tanker of water.”

Navsari district collector Dr MD Modiya said, “I held a meeting on Thursday morning to discuss water problem in the villages of Vasda taluka. We have started a survey in the two talukas of Vasda and Chikhli to know about the extent of the problem. The survey would be completed within two days. Defunct hand-pumps are being repaired immediately.”

Tanmal Patel, executive engineer, Chikli division of water supply department, said, “In these areas, groundwater level has gone down. It is not that there is no water, but demand supply ratio is not proper. The demand has increased, but provisions to supply water have not.”

Mayur Patel, a resident of Khata Amba village in Vasda taluka, said, “Almost 85 per cent of our houses have cattle. A cow daily needs at least five litres of water. Khakhra river is completely dry and there is no water in the check dams. It is a very difficult situation for us.”