Caste divides make scorching summers harder in a parched corner of India
Summary
In the drought-affected Bundelkhand region of northern India, caste discrimination makes it harder for Dalit communities to access scarce water during hot summers. Villagers rely on few handpumps, and Dalits often must wait for dominant caste members to finish before collecting water.Key Facts
- Bundelkhand is a drought-prone, semi-arid region spanning parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- Temperatures in the region often rise above 40°C, sometimes reaching nearly 48°C.
- Water taps installed by the government have been dry for around two years in some villages.
- Many residents depend on handpumps for water, leading to long waits and conflicts.
- Dalits face discrimination and must wait for upper-caste people to finish using handpumps.
- Some upper-caste residents perform rituals like pouring water to "cleanse" the pumps after Dalits use them.
- Government officials deny water shortages and caste discrimination at water sources.
- Residents say worsening heat and water scarcity are increasing tensions over water access.
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