Cuttack Faces Drinking Water Crisis as Public Coolers Fail in Scorching Heat
Amid a relentless heatwave pushing temperatures beyond 40°C, the city of Cuttack is grappling with a severe public health issue. Over 50% of the drinking water coolers installed by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) are in a deplorable and non-functional state, raising serious concerns about the city's preparedness to tackle the summer crisis.
Widespread Malfunction Leaves Residents Struggling
Out of 58 water coolers strategically placed across the city to provide relief to residents, as many as 32 are reportedly non-functional. This failure of essential facilities has left pedestrians, street vendors, and daily commuters struggling to access safe drinking water under extreme weather conditions. The situation is particularly dire in key areas such as Cantonment, CDA, Buxi Bazar, Jagatpur, Mata Matha, Nua Patana, Nua Bazar, Tulsipur, Badambadi, and the Ring Road stretch, where defunct coolers offer no respite to the public.
Elina Das, a commuter, expressed her frustration, stating, "It is becoming unbearable to walk even short distances in this heat. These coolers were meant to help us, but most of them don't work when we need them the most." Similarly, Babu Sethi, a street vendor in the Link Road area who spends hours outdoors, echoed these concerns. "We depend on these water points during summer. Now, we are forced to buy water or go without it, and it affects our earnings. All the water kiosks must be repaired immediately to provide relief to many needy persons," added Sethi.
Hygiene Issues Compound the Problem
Compounding the crisis, many of these locations have turned unhygienic due to poor maintenance. Issues such as overflowing water, clogged drains, scattered garbage, and the presence of stray dogs have made the surroundings unsafe. Suraj Pradhan, a resident of CDA, highlighted the health risks, saying, "The areas around these coolers are dirty and smelly. Instead of helping people, they are now creating health risks with mosquitoes and flies breeding nearby."
Municipal Response and Promised Actions
In response to the growing outcry, Cuttack Mayor Subhash Singh has acknowledged the problem. He stated, "We have taken note of the non-functional water coolers. All defunct units will be made operational at the earliest by a CMC team, and sanitation around these points will also be improved on priority." This commitment comes as a critical step toward addressing the immediate needs of the city's residents during this challenging period.
The failure of these public amenities underscores broader issues in urban infrastructure and emergency preparedness, particularly in the face of climate-induced extreme weather events. As temperatures continue to soar, the urgency for effective and timely interventions cannot be overstated.
