Women forced to walk miles in 44°C heat to fetch drinking water in crisis-hit Yavatmal

YAVATMAL: As temperatures soar to 44°C across much of Vidarbha, several districts are grappling with acute water scarcity. In Yavatmal district, the situation is particularly dire for the residents of Phanse Pardhi settlements—especially women—who are risking their lives daily just to fetch water.
Despite government schemes like 'Har Ghar Nal', which promise tap water to every household, the reality in these settlements tells a starkly different story. Yavatmal is home to nearly 60 to 62 Pardhi settlements. While a few NGOs have attempted to alleviate the crisis by installing borewells, most have run dry, exacerbating the community's plight.
Women are forced to walk two to three kilometers daily under the scorching sun to fetch water. Many are compelled to descend into deep, uncovered wells, facing the constant risk of snake and scorpion bites. Yet, they have no alternative. Contaminated water remains another serious concern, leading to frequent illnesses among children and adults. Their struggle for clean, accessible water has persisted for years with minimal government intervention.
According to officials, many Pardhi settlements are classified as encroachments on forest or revenue department land. This disqualifies them from accessing basic amenities such as roads, electricity, and water supply. Consequently, these communities are excluded from critical development schemes.
The crisis is just as severe in settlements such as Kathoda, Karegaon, Sawner, Bedka, Ramnagar, and Savar. These areas lack basic infrastructure, including roads and electricity, forcing residents to walk over a kilometer to fetch water from remote wells. Encounters with snakes and scorpions are alarmingly common—particularly for women—fueling anxiety and fear within the community. Yet, despite the ever-present dangers, they undertake these treacherous journeys every single day—for nothing more than a pot of water.
Urgent government intervention is needed to address the ongoing water crisis in Phanse Pardhi settlements. These communities are enduring inhuman conditions, year after year, with little hope in sight.
Kiran Sanju Pawar, a resident of the Pardhi community, expressed the collective anguish and sought government intervention. "Were we born into the Pardhi community just to be punished? No one pays attention to us. We don't benefit from any government schemes. We once lived off hunting, but now we're farming on encroached land. Our biggest problem is water. Our women walk two to three kilometers every day just to fetch it," he said.