Dhobis washing clothes in stagnant water
Dhobi at the Paddys bridge washing clothes The water situation in Mount Abu at the present is very grim. Owing to continuous slack monsoons in recent years, the water condition is grim and water sources are quite strained. For the last three years we have got used to water being supplied to us every alternative day, of late the supply has been poor as there isn’t enough pressure being supplied from the water works to give us sufficient water , we are now receiving half the quantity previously supplied to us.
Never have I experienced such a hot and dry summer as of this year. Abu’s streams and pond are stark dry; there are just a few artificial water bodies in the hills of Abu that have dwindling water supplies where the local birds and animals can quench their thirst. The dhobis this year are the hardest hit. They are forced to wash clothes in the stagnant water as there is no clean and fresh water to be had. The clothes washed in these unhealthy water bodies are a source of skin rashes and diseases, not to mention the murky stench that they give off.
Month before last a tanker of water could be had for Rs150/- then last month it shot up to Rs350/- Plus. Today evergreen tube wells have all gone dry; getting a tanker of water is a matter of luck, as the water-table has fallen drastically. Most of the municipal tube wells have gone kaput.
This year if the South West Monsoons do not arrive on time, and God forbid if Abu has another erratic Monsoon we in Abu will be facing an extremely grim water situation, and the city may be plunged into scarcity. The fragility of the Abu ecosystem, combined with the scarcity of water we are experiencing, makes it crucial for Abu to agree on a comprehensive, long-term venture. We may offer “Havans” or ‘do the rain dance’ to appease the rain gods, we can’t make it rain, but we can make the system work better to ensure a reliable water supply for Abu and protect the environment.
Mount Abu in the late sixties never needed a fan in the house the climate used to be so pleasant, but with climate warming over the years Abu now needs AC’s to keep the summer heat out. The future I’m sure won’t turn any better not with the way climate warming has become our destiny, and the bottom line is if our leaders do not tackle this grim situation head on we are headed for a dire water crisis.
Never have I experienced such a hot and dry summer as of this year. Abu’s streams and pond are stark dry; there are just a few artificial water bodies in the hills of Abu that have dwindling water supplies where the local birds and animals can quench their thirst. The dhobis this year are the hardest hit. They are forced to wash clothes in the stagnant water as there is no clean and fresh water to be had. The clothes washed in these unhealthy water bodies are a source of skin rashes and diseases, not to mention the murky stench that they give off.
Month before last a tanker of water could be had for Rs150/- then last month it shot up to Rs350/- Plus. Today evergreen tube wells have all gone dry; getting a tanker of water is a matter of luck, as the water-table has fallen drastically. Most of the municipal tube wells have gone kaput.
This year if the South West Monsoons do not arrive on time, and God forbid if Abu has another erratic Monsoon we in Abu will be facing an extremely grim water situation, and the city may be plunged into scarcity. The fragility of the Abu ecosystem, combined with the scarcity of water we are experiencing, makes it crucial for Abu to agree on a comprehensive, long-term venture. We may offer “Havans” or ‘do the rain dance’ to appease the rain gods, we can’t make it rain, but we can make the system work better to ensure a reliable water supply for Abu and protect the environment.
Mount Abu in the late sixties never needed a fan in the house the climate used to be so pleasant, but with climate warming over the years Abu now needs AC’s to keep the summer heat out. The future I’m sure won’t turn any better not with the way climate warming has become our destiny, and the bottom line is if our leaders do not tackle this grim situation head on we are headed for a dire water crisis.
Hi Friend!!
ReplyDeleteI was looking to visit Mount abu and surfing for information.
I just hit your blog...
let me tell you, you are amazing writer, even I write some blog, but seems i need to learn from you.
Also i will be glad if you can give me some more idea about hotels at Mount abu, and where to stay.
we are planning to come there on 1st july.
My other blog
tushatcc.sulekha.com
Ainsley,
ReplyDeleteI have read about the water shortage and feel that some of it is due to the fault of the Water Management's poor maintenance of the pipes.
From the upper Kodra Dam, follow the pipe line as it flows away from the dam just a few centimetres under the path. From my memory of a few years ago, the pipe diameter is about 125mm. EVERY joint leaks, both day and night. Great water-filled holes have formed around each joint and this water flows away wastefully. I would like you to take an offical to see this absolute waste of a precious commodity. Perhaps you can take a trip there yourself and capture these leaks on film or video. When the leaks are repaired, my estimate would be a saving of 20% water from the Upper Kodra Dam.
Bob Amore