Sullia: The forest departmental staff cut off drinking water supply lines near the border villages of Markanja and Aranthodu thereby causing inconvenience to 15 families of the small hamlets here. Ajjikallu, Kattathodi and Bajinadka hamlets are receiving water through tankers to tide over the sudden crisis following unexpected disruption.

In a sudden and unforeseen development, forest departmental staff severed water supply links to remote villages in their zone three days ago, citing forest fires in the area. The villagers had been drawing water from the large pits in Myraje forest area for over 15 years and had made provision for its seamless supply for daily needs.

The forest department has assured of restoring the water supply soon and the angered villagers remain in anticipation of an early solution.

Elected representatives from the affected areas paid a visit to assess the gravity of the problem on Friday, March 31. They were accompanied by Sullia Zilla Panchayath member Harish Kanjipili, Markanja GP President Monappa Poojary and others.

ZP member Harish Kanjipili assured the affected people mainly from dalit families of finding a permanent solution to their problems.