Chittagong city residents are facing an acute water crisis, as the Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority is unable to supply adequate water.
The townspeople are now concerned that their sufferings would intensify during Ramadan, especially during Sehri and Iftar.
However, Chittagong Wasa claimed they had taken on a set of programmes to ease the sufferings of the city dwellers, but it seems all of their efforts have proved futile.
The port city needs about 60 crore litres of water per day while the water supply authorities can supply only about 20 crore litres for about 70 lakh city residents, said Chittagong Wasa sources.
Besides, deep tube-wells of Wasa, CCC and other private-commercial users have also failed to retrieve adequate water, as the underground water level has fallen drastically.
Residents of Bakalia, Chawkbazar, Dewan Bazar, Bahadderhat, Badurtala, Pahartali, Halishahar, Anderkilla, Lovelane, Jamal Khan, Kapashgola, Kazir Dewri, Sholoshahar, Muradpur, New Market and Kotwali are the worst sufferers.
Councillor of Uttar Agrabad ward Nazmul Haque Duke said about 3,000 people lived in his ward. “Residents of my ward get sufficient water on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in a week, but on the remaining days they face a severe water crisis.
Md Salim Ullah, councillor of Enayet Bazar ward, told the Dhaka Tribune that people of his area get water at midnight.
“People cannot collect water from surface resources, as two out of the three big ponds in my area have been filled up. The water of another one is also polluted,” he said.
About 320,000 residents of Dakkhin Halishahar ward expect to face great challenges during Ramadan, as most areas in this ward are out of the CWASA water supply line, said Ward Councillor Ziaul Haque Sumon.
Md Nur Nabi, a resident of Bowbazar area, said: “I have to set up a deep tube-well, after finding no other solution.”
Aeysha Siddique, a resident of Halishahar residential area, said she bought water for Tk500 for everyday use. She is worried that the price of water would increase during Ramadan.
CWASA authorities, acknowledging the crisis, said they had taken special measures to meet the city residents’ demand during Ramadan.
They said seven vigilance teams were formed and three control rooms were set up to monitor water supply conditions in the city.
Three deep tube-wells, which will provide 40 lakh litres of water per day, are being set up and the supply lines will be repaired soon, they said.
Managing Director of Chittagong Wasa AKM Fazlullah said they are working hard to provide sufficient water to the townspeople.
Besides, the CCC will also provide water to city dwellers during Iftar at about 40 points in the city, said CCC Public Relations Officer Abdur Rahim.
