Rourkela, May 3: Water scarcity in the city that had eased for two weeks is now back with a vengeance.

Authorities said there was hardly any stream left in the Koel river, which was being tapped to collect water. Now that the rock bed has appeared, it is impossible to dig further to collect water.

Superintending engineer of the public health department K.B. Khuntia said: "The river has completely dried up, and there is hardly any water stream left. A small stream, barely knee deep, near the newly constructed Koel bridge, is being used at the moment. But, it is not sufficient. We have another 45 days of summer ahead of us," he said.

He said the river could have retained more water if it had proper sand layers in the bed. "Now, it hardly has any sand near the intake well and it is all rocky. So, digging to find water is a problem," he said.

He said: "Check dams can only solve water shortage in the absence of rain."

Experts agree with him and point out that the Tarkera wire bridge dam was taking care of the entire captive township of Rourkela Steel Plant, which went almost without water for 20 days.

The authorities feel that Koel Nagar and Shakti Nagar, two densely populated areas, would go without water and even NIT Rourkela will be affected.

"Luckily, students are on their three-month summer break. We are all right at the moment," said a faculty member.

An official said: "We are staying at the spot all through the night to ensure that water gets collected at the dug pit. In the morning, water supply was affected because the Rourkela Steel Plant power supply was cut off to the intake well. This led to disruption in loading of water to the overhead tank and the sump."

When this was brought to the notice of the officials, he said the department would apply for it own power connection.

In the city, water is being supplied through tankers. Besides, 500-litre tanks have been placed at strategic places are being filled regularly.