Sivasagar: Flood-ravaged Hiloni Nepali Khuti faces an acute water shortage, forcing families to ration packaged water and seek help from neighbours.The village, near the Dikhou river, was among the worst affected by the July 19 floods. Although NGOs and the district administration have supplied packaged drinking water, residents lack a reliable source for cooking, washing and other daily needs.Before the floods, villagers relied on piped connections, water pumps and, occasionally, the Dikhou. The deluge damaged water infrastructure, while residents remain afraid to approach the river even after it receded.“We require water to wash ourselves and the cattle, clean our utensils, cook and clean. The existing water sources are currently unstable for us,” resident Krishna Prasad Sharma said.Families now ration packaged drinking water, using it for cooking, bathing infants and elderly people, and household chores. Some walk to neighbouring homes with functional water connections to fill containers, while others collect rainwater.“Every morning begins with the same worry: where will we get water today?” resident Nilabh Karmakar said. “When it rains heavily, it feels like a blessing. We rush to place buckets outside because every drop matters.”Thick layers of sludge have hampered rebuilding, and residents fear recovery could take months. Govt officials have assessed the damage and collected bank account details for compensation.Several residents hope to use the assistance to buy water pumps while awaiting the restoration of piped supply.“Our homes have been washed away, and we have lost almost everything. Yet, our biggest concern today is water,” resident Hari Nanda Sharma said. “If the govt compensation reaches us, the first thing we want to do is buy a water pump.”
