RMC initiates emergency measures as 220 hand pumps, 25 tube wells run dry

Ranchi: The water crisis in the city has worsened, with 220 hand pumps, 5 high-yield deep tube wells (HYDTs) and 20 mini-HYDTs turning dry or becoming defunct, forcing residents of several localities to depend on tankers, stored water and alternative sources.

Data from Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Saturday showed the affected units are spread across multiple wards, including parts of Lalpur, Kantatoli, Morabadi, Kanke, Kokar and adjoining neighbourhoods, where groundwater levels have dropped sharply after weeks of intense heat and inadequate rainfall.

RMC assistant municipal commissioner Suraj Prakash Singh said the civic body has deployed dedicated teams to respond to complaints and restore water supply. “Ten teams have been formed to monitor and repair HYDTs and mini-HYDTs, while 15 teams are working on hand pumps. Complaints are attended to daily, and affected sites are inspected immediately,” he said.

Singh said the problem is not limited to drying sources. “In several cases, motors have developed faults and require repair or replacement. Where tube wells have gone dry, we are supplying water through pipeline connections and carrying out overnight operations to restore services as quickly as possible,” he added.

Under the RMC’s jurisdiction, there are 2,507 hand pumps, 181 HYDTs and 1,611 mini-HYDTs. As per Saturday’s report, 220 hand pumps, 5 HYDTs and 20 mini-HYDTs were listed as dry or defunct, leading the civic body to intensify repair work and water supply measures in affected areas.

Councillor of ward 11, Aliya Naz, said groundwater depletion is becoming a concern. “More than 10 mini-HYDTs have been repaired in my ward during the last month, but 4-5 HYDTs and mini-HYDTs are still defunct. Some of them have completely dried out,” she said.

RMC officials said tankers have been deployed where hand pumps have failed, while efforts continue to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply during peak summer.