Thanjavur dt banks on monsoon to avert water crisis

THANJAVUR: Though drinking water problem is not acute in Thanjavur city corporation area, which gets its supply from Vennar and Kollidam (Thirumanur), water scarcity has surfaced in various panchayats in Budalur and Thiruvaiyaru panchayat unions near Thanjavur.

Many villages get water from 'Over Head Tanks (OHTs)' which face problems in pumping due to power shortage. Three-phase supply is not available and hence water could not be pumped into OHTs. According to V. Jeevakumar, an advocate, people face drinking water problem in his native village Royamundanpatti in Budalur  taluk. Another farmer Sami Nadarajan said that water sale has come to some villages like Thennamanadu in Orathanadu taluk. People go to bore-wells in paddy fields put up by some big farmers and take water. Some big farmers with bore-wells sell water. Drinking water problem is faced in Sethubavachathiram, Peravurani. Adhirampattinam, Mallipattinam-coastal areas, say sources.

People are also worried about underground water table going down. However, district officials say that all steps had been taken.