Scarcity of water in Manipur intensified after an oil leakage from the Leimakhong power station, diverting the Makha Khong stream on January 10
Villagers near Makha Khong stream in Kanto Sabal, Imphal West, severely affected by water shortage
Manipur has faced water scarcity for years, especially during lean seasons, even with a regular monsoon
The unavailability of tap water at every doorstep is a major factor, hindering the government's goal of providing connections to 4.5 lakh households under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
JJM disrupted due to ongoing ethnic clashes, hindering tap water connections to households
Several households rely on private vendors for water, procuring 5,000 liters monthly at Rs 350 per 1,000 liters due to the government's water supply shortage
Human intervention in forests, including poppy plantations and jhum cultivation, contributes significantly to water scarcity by causing topsoil erosion and forest fires
Despite an annual rainfall of 1,600 mm, shortened monsoon periods in the past few years, exacerbated by deforestation, have disrupted groundwater recharge
Human activities have reduced the number of wetlands from 550 to 119, impacting water storage during the monsoon season
The state government is actively engaged in rejuvenating existing wetlands and addressing the challenge of water scarcity