Malappuram, April 22 -- At least 24 tribal families from Plakkalchola Adivasi Nagar in Chaliyar panchayat have relocated to the banks of the Kanjirappuzha river due to a severe shortage of drinking water.

A resident, Unnimol, described the acute water crisis that has forced families to move to the riverbank.

"With the forest stream (Kattuchola) in Plakkalchola having dried up, the families were left with no option but to relocate to the riverbank through the interior forest area of Pantheerayiram," she said.

She added that despite repeated complaints every summer, authorities have failed to ensure a reliable drinking water supply.

"The families, who have temporarily abandoned their homes in search of water, now spend their nights in f...