Dhanbad areas face water crisis

In the aftermath of heavy rainfall across Dhanbad and its adjoining areas, residents of Jharia and Katras have been pushed into a severe water crisis, affecting close to a million people, due to the choking of the intake well of the Jamadoba-based water treatment plant (WTP), operated by the Jharkhand Mineral Area Development Authority (JMADA), people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.

- Praduman Choubey

DHANBAD:

According to the people, the root of the problem lies in the sharp rise in the water level of the Damodar River—from 454 RL to 462 RL—due to continuous downpours and the release of excess water from the Tenughat Dam in Bokaro. The surging current brought with it a large amount of water hyacinth, which clogged the intake well of the WTP, bringing water supply operations to a complete standstill.