As the tubewells cannot pump out sufficient water, a pitcher of water is being sold at Tk 2 to 3 in Jessore, Magura, Jhenidah, Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga and at different parts of Khulna, sources said.

Though water crisis worsens during the dry season, the government is yet to take up any long-term project to resolve the crisis.

Seven lakh shallow tubewells have been installed so far in 10 southwestern districts at the government and private initiatives, but about four lakh tubewells cannot reach the underground water level, said sources at the Department of Public Health and Engineering said.

A high official of the department said the underground water level in several parts of Meherpur district went down 26 feet from its usual level, leading to a severe water crisis.

He said all the rivers in the southwestern region almost dried up as the neighbouring country withdrew excessive water from the river Padma through the Farakka Barrage.

Excessive use of shallow tubewells in extracting water is also a major reason for the fall in the underground water level, according to experts.9

The Department of Public Health and Engineering sources said they are working to supply water to all by setting up deep tubewells with the fund provided by IDB.

It will bring a permanent solution to the problem, if implemented, they added.