The mercury mayhem, along with a litany of allied problems such as plunging water table and power cuts, has spurred a huge demand for water tankers in capital Ranchi.

If RMC officials are to be believed, they are flooded with tanker bookings from residential apartments, individual houses and banquet halls; so much so that civic mandarins have moved to reinforce the water fleet.

Roughly, the capital city requires 35-40 million gallons of water every day. The Rukka reservoir meets over 70 per cent of the requirement while Hatia and Kanke dams manage the rest. However, in peak summer, lack of rainfall often reduces water levels, upsetting this demand-supply equilibrium.

Several other factors are also contributing to Ranchi's compounding water woes. Topping the list is illegal water connection. According to the last Census data mentioned in the district administration's official website, the capital has some 3.5 lakh households. Of these, a little over 10 per cent have legal water connections, claim RMC officials. Ranchi's unabated vertical growth and poor infrastructure are among other factors leaving the city thirsty.

Omkar Pandey, who handles RMC tankers, said the daily average booking was for 100,000 litres of water. "We are supplying free water through 22 tankers in 135 areas under RMC command every day. But, so huge is the demand that we are flooded with bookings for more water and on payment basis. On an average, 15-20 bookings come daily for the 2,000-litre tanker while at least five to seven bookings are made for the 5,000-litre tanker," he said.

A 2,000-litre tanker can be booked for Rs 300 and a 5,000-litre one for Rs 700.

PRO Naresh Sinha said that the RMC was now procuring tankers of 4,000- and 6,000-litre capacities. "In a few days, 10 tankers of 4,000 litres will arrive from Jamshedpur. In a week, four tankers of 6,000 litres will also reach us. Around 30 more tankers of various capacities are being procured as well to tackle the growing demand for water," he added.