Sri Vijaya Puram, April 25: A water shortage in South Andaman, triggered by a deficient North-East Monsoon, has prompted the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to seek public cooperation to maintain drinking water supply across affected areas.
Officials stated that while efforts are underway to ensure continuous piped water supply to households, certain regions are experiencing disruptions, necessitating supplementary distribution through water tankers. The shortage has placed additional pressure on existing infrastructure, particularly in areas with limited water availability.
In response, the administration has appealed to residents who own borewells and dugwells with surplus water to assist in mitigating the crisis. Authorities have observed that several households have access to water resources exceeding their daily requirements, which could be utilised to support supply in water-scarce localities.
The administration has requested such well owners to permit water tankers deployed by the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD) to draw excess water. This measure is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted access to safe drinking water in areas where piped supply alone is insufficient.
To facilitate coordination, residents willing to contribute have been asked to contact the Executive Engineer, Public Health Engineering Division (PHED), APWD, Prothrapur, or the Executive Engineer, Roads Construction Division (RCD), APWD, Wimberlygunj. Alternatively, information can also be shared with local public representatives for further coordination.
The administration has also directed elected representatives, including Pradhans, Panchayat Samiti members, and Zilla Parishad members, to identify borewells and dugwells with excess capacity in their respective areas. They have been asked to relay this information to the concerned authorities to strengthen tanker-based supply operations.
Officials emphasised that equitable distribution of drinking water remains a priority during the current shortage. They noted that coordinated efforts between government agencies and the public are essential to address the immediate challenges posed by reduced rainfall and limited water reserves.
The situation highlights the region’s vulnerability to seasonal variations in rainfall and the dependence on monsoon patterns for sustaining water supply systems. With the North-East Monsoon failing to meet expected levels, authorities are relying on both infrastructure measures and community participation to manage the shortfall.
The administration has urged residents to extend cooperation during this period, stressing that collective efforts will be critical in ensuring that all households continue to receive safe and adequate drinking water until normal supply conditions are restored.
