Kendrapara, Sept. 21 (UDN): Nearly 1,500 families in Odisha’s Kendrapara district have been struggling for drinking water for the past eight days after electricity supply to a village pump house was disconnected over pending power dues of ₹3.82 lakh.

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The disruption has affected residents of Purushottampur as well as nearby Era and Korua villages, where the pump house serves as the primary source of piped drinking water.

Water Supply Halted After Power Disconnection

According to villagers, electricity dues of ₹3,82,528 had accumulated in the name of the pump house, prompting the power disconnection. With the electricity cut, the water pump stopped functioning, leaving hundreds of households without their regular water supply.

Residents said they had repeatedly raised the issue with the local sarpanch, but the problem remained unresolved.

Protests as Alternatives Fail

Frustrated by the prolonged shortage, villagers staged a protest by beating traditional metal gongs to draw the administration’s attention to their plight.

The lack of alternative water sources has further deepened the crisis. Villagers said one of the two tube wells in the area supplies iron-contaminated water, while the other is not operational, leaving many families with few safe options for drinking water.

Administration Seeks Report

Residents have blamed poor management of the pump house for the situation and demanded immediate restoration of both electricity and water supply.

The local administration said it became aware of the issue only recently and has sought a report from officials. Authorities have assured that appropriate action will be taken after examining the matter.

With the disruption entering its eighth day, concerns continue to grow over the impact on daily life, particularly for families dependent on the village water supply for their basic needs.