BHABUA, April 10 -- Krishna Kumar Yadav, of Bhuinfore village in Adhaura block, is a worried man. His daughter's wedding is now scheduled for June 24, though both families had initially agreed to hold it in April. He was forced to postpone the wedding due to the prevailing water crisis in the area. Left with no option, Yadav requested the groom's family to reschedule the date. Situated on the Kaimur plateau 1,400 feet above sea level, the hilly Adhaura block in south western Bihar is currently grappling with a severe water crisis, compelling its forest-dwelling inhabitants to reschedule the wedding dates of their children. Consequently, they are opting to schedule wedding ceremonies for June and July rather than the customary months of April and May. Monsoon rains that typically set in around June 15 is expected to replenish the groundwater table. Weddings entail a significantly higher consumption of water. "Arranging for an adequate supply during the scorching heat would prove to be an arduous task. A few capable people use tractors to transport large drums of water," Sardar Singh of Adhaura said. The forest dwellers whose children's weddings have already been fixed for April or May on pressure from other parties of the marriage, are making arrangements by booking marriage halls in the plains. Dalgajan Yadav of Shravandag, Shabbir Alam, a teacher from Chorpaniya and some others have booked marriage halls at Bhabua, 85 kms from Adhaura. The alternative arrangement entailed higher costs, they said. Yogendra Yadav of Barwan Khurd, Bhoju Yadav of Khamkala, Netlal Singh of Dumrawan have scheduled the marriages of their children in June end. Salim Miyan of Tala, Krishna Murari Sah of Saleya, and Bechan Sah of Dahar said they were currently fetching water from a small dam, as well as from a well at Jharpa village, both situated 4 kms away. Villagers from Barwan Kala and Barwan Khurd are travelling 2 kms to draw water from the Shankar Kuan. Residents of Lohra are relying on water from a chuan (a shallow natural water source) located 1.5kms away. Similarly, people of Okhargada are meeting their requirements by fetching water from a chuan. Though the grazers are bringing the cattle down on plains for fodder and water, the livestock in the villages are brought to these chuans, where wild animals are also slaking their thirst. Ravi Prakash, executive engineer, Public Health Engineering Department Bhabua said the ground water had significantly dropped by 8 to 12 feet at higher elevations like Adhaura and Barwan, making several hand pumps defunct. The level had receded by 6 to 8 feet in Jamuninar, Babhani Kala, Dumrawan, Athan, Sarki, Kolhua, Dighar, Sarodag panchayats till March end. The situation would be worse during extreme summer. He further said 1,246 hand pumps were installed across the Adhaura Block. Repairing of defunct pumps and Solar energy-based tap water supply systems was going on war footing. Kaimur DM NK Singh said he was personally monitoring the matter and administration was closely working to ensure drinking water supply on the plateau....