The walk for water: Scarcity forces women to go the extra mile

Vantimamidi is a small village near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Situated along the Eastern Ghats, the village is at an elevation of 792 metres. Despite being surrounded by streams, Vantimamidi faces severe water scarcity. This is because it is located on the upper side of the stream, which makes it difficult for the villagers to access its water. Close by there is a perennial spring as well—which is a good source of water even during the summer months—but it flows in the direction opposite to the village. As a result, the entire Vantimamidi community—comprising 250 people across 71 households—consumes only 195 litres of water per day, which is 85 litres less than the average Indian family.

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