Three townships hit by water shortages

Residents have suffered from a water shortage since January. Natural lakes have dried up due to less rain in 2014. Residents who rely mainly on the lakes may face water scarcity until the monsoon season in a couple of months. The situation could become dire if the monsoon season is late. The water shortage is also impacting farmers who are looking at crop damage and reduced harvests.

Many locals tapped water through tube wells and found contamination of saline water.

"This year is worse than before even though we face water shortage problems every year," said a resident of Myauklukan Village in Pakokku Township. "No water is left in two lakes in our village. We have to use contaminated water and buy drinking water.

Some people have to carry water from the remote villages daily. Villagers pay as much as Ks 1,000 per water barrel cart.