Howrah water crisis worsens as pipeline repairs drag on, thousands struggle amid heatwave

The water crisis in Howrah worsened on Friday as repairs on the burst pipeline in Belgachia remained incomplete for over 36 hours, severely affecting residents in multiple wards. The rupture, caused by a landslide at the Belgachia garbage dumping yard, has also blocked drainage in several areas, adding to sanitation concerns. The affected pipeline, spanning nearly a kilometer, is a primary water supply line for North Howrah and Shibpur.

The Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) continued emergency repair work, but the extent of the damage has delayed restoration. Engineers working at the site stated that unstable soil conditions were hampering swift pipeline replacement. Mayor Firhad Hakim instructed officials to deploy 20 water tankers from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to supply drinking water in the worst-hit areas. The administration has also urged residents to conserve water until normal supply resumes.

Officials said the landslide was triggered by underground gas accumulation from decomposing waste at the Belgachia dumping yard, causing sections of the land to subside and expose the pipeline. “The ground had been sinking gradually since Wednesday night, but by Thursday morning, the situation escalated as the pipeline surfaced and burst,” said an HMC engineer at the site. Cracks have appeared over an area of approximately 1.5 square kilometers, leading to evacuations of houses at risk of further subsidence.

Residents of North Howrah and Shibpur have raised concerns over the prolonged disruption, with some areas experiencing severe shortages despite water tanker distribution. Protests erupted in parts of Howrah as locals demanded quicker action. “We have been without water for more than a day, and the tankers are not enough for everyone,” said a resident of Belgachia. HMC officials assured that work was progressing at full speed but did not provide an exact timeline for complete restoration.

Authorities estimate that the water supply may take another 24 hours to stabilize, though continued land subsidence remains a challenge. The Howrah Municipal Corporation is monitoring the situation closely, while engineers work to reinforce the affected area to prevent further collapses. The administration has advised residents to report any new signs of ground movement as a precautionary measure.