‘No water, no electricity’: Just 3 hours from India’s hottest city, this UP block walks miles for water amid searing heat

As extreme heat continues to grip large parts of Uttar Pradesh, residents of Shankargarh are facing an acute water shortage, with many reportedly travelling long distances each day to access drinking water.

Located over 150 kilometres from Banda — one of the hottest places in the country — Shankargarh is witnessing severe stress on water availability as temperatures remain above 40°C amid continuing heatwave conditions.

Residents said the shortage has become a long-term challenge affecting daily life. Some villagers reported walking nearly 10 kilometres to collect water, while also citing a lack of reliable electricity and basic infrastructure.

Authorities acknowledged the situation and said measures were being taken to address the problem. Vinita Singh said district officials had been instructed to review local arrangements and carry out urgent repairs where necessary.

She added that authorities had also directed officials to arrange water tankers if required and said the administration was monitoring the situation closely.

According to Singh, advisories on the ongoing heatwave have been issued regularly through local networks and media channels to increase awareness among residents. She said emergency water arrangements and cooling facilities had also been established in several areas.

The crisis comes as Uttar Pradesh continues to face exceptionally high temperatures. Banda has repeatedly recorded some of the country’s highest temperatures this season.

The town has seen streets and markets largely empty during daytime hours as intense heat keeps people indoors. Earlier this season, Banda recorded 47.6°C, setting a new local high for April and surpassing previous records. More recently, the district touched 48°C and even 48.2°C on successive days, remaining among India’s hottest locations.

The continuing heatwave has increased concerns about water availability and the pressure on local infrastructure across several parts of the state.