As the rivers dry up, many areas around Imphal drain out of treated water.

In Imphal West district and surrounding areas, people will not get water for treatment as the main source of raw water, the rivers, are bone dry.

An official notification stated that the water level of Singada dam had gone down dangerously. It supplies potable water to vast areas including the city of Imphal.

Consumers have long been dependent on bottled ‘mineral water’. 20 liter jar of this water. 50 is sold. On the other hand, private merchant iters are delivering raw water to households at 250 per one thousand liters. Many traders store river water in huge underground tanks and sell it to a growing number of water tanker drivers.

One driver, Tomcha Khuman, said, “We used to get water from businessmen at reasonable prices. However, as the main water sources dry up, we are paying more and joining a long queue of water tankers. “

Some “mineral water” samples were found to be “harmful to health” by government officials, it is said. However, no businessmen were pulled.

Officials said that there would be no improvement in the situation till the rains started around April.