The CMCH hospital have reached such a stage that water has to be supplied through specialised wagons by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). The shortage of water has been distressing for the patients, their relatives and the hospital staff.

“Since one of our pumps is not functioning for the past three days, we are dependent on corporation water tankers. But even then, it can’t meet the requirement. KMC tankers supply twice a day. We need more water to run the hospital properly,” said Anup Roy, superintendent, CMCH.

“Although we have reservoirs to store water, our problem is related to the supply of water. The diameter of the ferrule of corporation water was two inch for which we used to get insufficient supply of water,” said Roy. “We had a talk with the corporation over the issue. They have agreed to increase the diameter of the ferrule,” added Roy.

The situation at SSKM hospital is not different either. The hospital is experiencing a water crisis for the last 3 to 4 days. “Drinking water as well as the supply of water in toilets is not regular,” said Salim Seikh, relative of a patient admitted in SSKM hospital.

This crisis has stalled some operations in the hospital for the last couple of days. “Dialysis and the gynaecology unit are the worst hit. A little electrical fault or a normal power cut can trigger a huge water crisis,” said a senior official of SSKM hospital.