Agartala, 18th August 2026 : Residents of Athuk Tuthang under Mandai RD Block are facing severe hardship due to an acute shortage of drinking water that has reportedly continued for nearly five months. With no permanent water supply in place, many families have been forced to depend on rainwater for drinking and other daily needs.
Locals said the situation becomes particularly critical during dry spells, when rainwater is unavailable. Despite repeated appeals, no lasting solution has yet been provided by the block administration, they alleged.
The water crisis has also placed a heavy financial burden on daily-wage workers. According to residents, a worker earning around ₹500 a day has to spend nearly ₹50 to purchase a drum of water. A family requiring around five drums a day therefore spends approximately ₹250 on water alone—half of the worker’s daily income.
Residents said it has become extremely difficult to manage food and other household expenses with the remaining ₹250, particularly for families supporting children, spouses and elderly parents. Some families are reportedly struggling even to arrange adequate food after meeting their daily water requirements.
The affected residents further alleged that they have repeatedly brought the matter to the attention of public representatives, but a permanent solution has not been found. They urged local MLA Swapna Debbarma and MDC Jiten Debbarma to visit Athuk Tuthang, assess the situation personally and take immediate steps to ensure a regular supply of drinking water.
Speaking to the media, residents expressed frustration over having to depend on rainwater for their survival for months. They appealed to the administration to intervene urgently and establish a permanent water supply system in the area.
With the crisis entering its fifth month, residents are now questioning how much longer they will have to wait for a basic necessity that remains out of reach for their families.
