Paradip: Authorities have rationed water supply to the port town following drying up of the Taladanda canal.

Water scarcity has gripped the Paradip region. The drinking water supply system has been trimmed down once a day to meet with the emergent situation. Earlier, the residents used to get supplied water twice a day.

The restricted supply in the daily consumption of water came into force from February 1. It will remain in force till further order. In all probability, the restriction will continue in the summer months as the water level in the Taladanda canal has dipped considerably. The port is entirely dependent on the canal system dug out during the British Raj. The water sourced from the canal is treated in the treatment plant for domestic supply.

"The port town is experiencing the water shortage. We are trying our best to tackle the situation," said an official of the port's public health engineering department (environment and civil).

There has been drastic fall in the water level both at the Taladanda canal and three water-carrying reservoirs in the port town. As against three million gallon litres of daily requirement of drinking water to meet with the people's needs, hardly one million gallon litres are being generated every day. This has triggered the crisis, he said.

The Taladanda canal, the lifeline of bustling industrial hub, was renovated with the Asian Development Bank funding.

Following the renovation, the water intake capacity has increased in the canal system, which is linked with the Mahanadi river.

However, the flow of water has thinned, and it has triggered the prevailing drinking water scarcity.

As a fallout of the situation, drinking water pouches and mineral water bottle traders are doing brisk business. With piped drinking water replete with impurities, residents here have resorted to buying packaged water.

"Water has become scarce in the town. We hardly get water for an hour early in the morning. For the rest of the day, the taps remain dry," said Saswati Routray, a home-maker from a residential colony in the port town.

Land clash

At least a dozen persons have been injured in a group clash at Baniapashi village in Taruaan gram panchayat of Keonjhar district.

The clash ensued due to a long-standing land feud. The injured persons are being treated at the district headquarters hospital but no one is critical, said police and added that 10 troublemakers have been detained.