About the Video: Murbani village in Dumka district, Jharkhand is bracing itself to face the coming dog days of summer. It’s getting hotter everyday and the mercury is inching towards a scorching 40 degrees. And pretty soon, the rivers will dry and even the three hand-pumps that the villagers use to draw water will empty.
Come election time, every candidate that has visited the village has promised an unending supply of water. But the situation has steadily worsened. Increase in mining activity in the neighbouring areas has taken a huge toll on the underground water table. The three hand pumps are lacking for depth and are in the danger of becoming obsolete. Even the water that is available is mixed with effluents, polluted and unfit for human consumption. For the thirty odd families that live in the village, yet another hot and thirsty summer is on its way.
Call to Action: Community Correspondent Usha Kiran Hembrom is a resident of the village. She has compiled a video with her friends and neighbours talking about the water issues of the village. She plans to use her video as a document for sensitizing and pressurizing local authorities in her campaign for change.
You can help Usha Kiran by writing to Ms. Smriti Kumari, Block Development Officer, Dumka, Jharkhand and asking her to look into the problems of Murbani village and improve the water supply.
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