For nearly a month, many residents of Block 10 in Dakshinpuri have been living without regular access to water, making even basic activities like bathing extremely difficult.
Every morning, several women working as domestic help leave for homes in South Delhi carrying an added burden — requesting permission from employers to bathe at the houses where they work.
Temple Tap Becomes Lifeline
A single tap located outside the Shree Shiv Krishan Mandir near the block has become the main source of water for many residents. The tap runs only briefly in the evening, prompting long queues and chaos as people rush with buckets, bottles, and drums to collect water.
With water supply disrupted for almost a month, nearly 5,000 residents across different blocks in Dakshinpuri are reportedly struggling amid the ongoing heatwave conditions in Delhi.
Elderly Residents Struggle Daily
Among those affected is 65-year-old Urmila, who works as a domestic helper.
"I take painkillers daily, but I still have to carry buckets upstairs somehow," she said. "Sometimes I just cannot lift the bucket, so I have to request neighbours to help me. But how long can I ask for help?"
Residents also claimed that the available water is often dirty and black, yet people continue collecting it because it can at least be used for toilets and basic cleaning.
‘How Long Can This Continue?’
Ishita, another domestic worker employed in Kalkaji, said the shortage has affected both her dignity and daily routine.
"I somehow convinced the owners where I work to allow me to take a shower there," she said. "Sometimes I even take my younger sister along. But how long can this continue?"
Residents Say Even Drinking Water Is Scarce
For Gurmeet Singh, a 30-year-old resident, access to enough water for bathing has become impossible.
"I haven't taken a proper bath for a week. This is hard to believe, but it is the reality. We stink here, and in this weather, water is the most basic need," he said.
"Forget everything else, we do not even have enough water to drink. For how long will we keep buying water? We have already been purchasing it for more than a month."
Delhi Jal Board Responds
A Delhi Jal Board official told TOI that, "Despite the reduced availability of raw water from upstream sources, DJB and govt are working round the clock to ensure minimum inconvenience to people."
"On average, approximately 6,500 tanker rounds are being carried out every day to ensure water reaches affected areas across Delhi. We are working on urgent solutions to improve the situation at the earliest," the official added.
Residents Await Answers
Residents said they have repeatedly complained to authorities about the crisis. However, many claim they have not been clearly informed about the exact reason behind the disruption or when regular water supply will be restored.
[With TOI inputs]
