Malkangiri: Over 500 residents of Atalguda village at Khairaput block in the tribal-dominated district are forced to consume polluted stream water as three of the four tube wells are lying defunct.

Situated some 70km from the district headquarters town of Malkangiri, the village houses around 100 tribal families.

According to the villagers, each day, the women folk of the village have to trek around 2km in the sweltering heat to the nearest stream to collect water used for cooking and other purposes.

"Only one out of the four tube wells at the village is functional. However, muddy water comes from it. Hence, we don't have any other option other than collecting the stream water," said villager Brundaban Paraja.

The villagers said a few years ago two tube wells had been commissioned at the village, but at present, both of them were lying defunct.

"On several occasions, we have raised the issue with the block authorities, but the tube wells have not been repaired. The polluted stream water is causing skin and stomach ailments to us," said another villager.

While the scorching sun is drying up the stream, the villagers apprehend that if the tube wells are not repaired before monsoon, they will have to keep on consuming the contaminated water.

"During monsoon, the stream water gets more muddy and dirty. It is very risky to consume it, particularly during rains. At the same time, it's very difficult to fetch water from the stream when it rains. The administration should take necessary steps to repair the tube wells at the earliest," said villager Niranjan Hantal.

Acknowledging that they were aware of the problem, a senior block official said the defunct tube wells would be repaired at the earliest.