PERNEM
After being severely hit by the floods on Friday, people in Pernem are still struggling for water supply and are eagerly awaiting the resumption of the Chandel Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in the taluka.
Many have complained that the PWD had failed to provide an alternate source of water supply after the Chandel WTP had been affected by the floods on Friday.
They claim a similar problem had arisen during cyclone Tauktae in May, leaving people without water supply for eight days and forcing them to fetch water from traditional wells.
The floods had caused extensive damage on Friday and authorities had stated that the 15 MLD Water Treatment Plant had stopped operation due to a sudden rise in the water level of Kalna River, leading to the restricted water supply to the entire Pernem taluka on July 24 and July 25.
However, four days have passed and locals were still without water supply.
When contacted, a PWD official said water supply would be resumed and regularised in some areas by the wee hours of Wednesday.
"This inconvenience was caused due to flooding at the Chandel WTP on Friday and we have now started two pumps," the official said.
Pernem taluka depends on the Chandel WTP which has a capacity of only 15 MLD and is reportedly insufficient to cater to Pernem's population of around 1 lakh.
