Bhubaneswar, April 26: Many parts of the Sambalpur city are experiencing acute drinking water scarcity with the rising temperature adding to the problem.

There has been no respite from the crisis even after the city was accorded the municipal corporation status.

The mercury has crossed 42 degrees Celsius, but the supply of water remains inadequate for the residents. Water is supplied to the city from two treatment plants located at Bareipali and Modipara.

The treatment plant at Bareipali has a capacity to treat 42 million litres of water per day while the Modipara plant can treat 11 million litres a day.

Although water is being supplied through tankers to some water-scarce areas, it is not helping the situation. Many parts of the city, including Durgapali, Cheruapara, Stationpara, Talbhatapara, Charbhati, Chandan Nagar, Saaraswat Colony, Bhatra, Kanijuri and several other areas are experiencing erratic and inadequate water supply.

"Though our households have been connected with water supply pipelines, the supply is erratic and insufficient. We are getting the supply for 15 to 30 minutes a day," said Lalit Behera, a resident of Bhatra.

However, many localities of the city have not been provided with the water supply connection. "Our locality is yet to get the connection. Residents of our locality depend on two stand-posts for drinking water. But it is not sufficient. The water supply through tanker in our locality is also not enough," said Shyam Pradhan, a resident of Saraswat Colony.

Sub-divisional officer of Public Heath Engineering Organisation Jadab Chandra Dehury said: "We are taking measures to meet the demand for water. We have pressed 9 water tankers into service in water-scarce pockets. We have also decided to hire eight more water tankers. We have already sent proposals to higher authorities for the approval to get more tankers for water supply to these areas."