Water shortage is acute in the densely-populated multi-storey flats in southern sectors, where residents of top floors have not been receiving water since the past couple of days. Talking to Newsline, residents of top floors of the three-storey flats in Sector 45 claimed that they had not received a drop of water since the past couple of days. Said Sunita, a housewife in Sector 45: "We are being discriminated against by the MC. We have to fetch bucketfuls of water daily from the ground floor."

When asked to comment, officials of the Municipal Corporation said that efforts were being taken to maintain water supply. A task force involving senior Public Health officials has been set up for prompt action, they added.The officials held the residents "equally" responsible for the shortage in water supply owing to the "illegal water connections".

"Motors are being used to pump water to first and second floors in the southern sectors. This affects the water supply in adjoining areas. Pumping water through motors will be dealt with sternly," officials said. In order to avoid harassment, they asked the residents to remove motors on their own.The situation is no better in labour colonies and villages where the people have to depend on water supply in the nearby areas. Scores of residents from various parts of the city have also complained of low water pressure.

Though watering of lawns during supply hours has been banned, a random survey revealed that this was being flouted without any check especially in the northern sectors.

In some parts of the city, people claimed to have been receiving muddy water.Residents of S.A.S. Nagar, particularly those living in Phases VII, VIII and IX, have been hard hit by the water shortage. The Newsline office has been flooded with calls by irate residents complaining of water shortage.

Jatinder Singh of Phase VII said there was no water even four feet from the ground level.