Bhubaneswar, May 1 -- Amid the prevailing heat wave conditions across Odisha, the misery of people in several parts of the State has compounded amid the acute drinking water crisis.

While residents in some parts of the State are still depending on the muddy water of the ponds to quench their thirst, people in other parts have staged road blockades as they have been deprived of basic amenities like drinking water facilities by the administration.

Residents gherao officials

Expressing their resentment over the lack of drinking water facilities in their area, villagers of Santara in Jajpur district gheraoed the department officials, who had come to the area to take stock of the situation.

"We have requested the administration many times ...