Rural Communities Benefit as Government Refills Thousands of Ponds

*Canal water revives 4,755 drying ponds across Chhattisgarh amid severe summer* *Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai-led initiative brings relief to water-stressed rural areas* *Water Resources Department launches statewide effort to replenish rural water bodies* Raipur, May 12, 2026/ Amid falling water levels and an intense summer across Chhattisgarh, the Water Resources Department has launched a large-scale effort to refill drying village ponds through canal networks, providing relief to rural communities dependent on these water bodies for daily use. So far, 4,755 ponds across the state have been replenished with canal water under the special campaign, while work is continuing in other identified ponds based on local requirements. The initiative has been taken in line with the direction of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai to address water scarcity in rural areas during peak summer months, when ponds, often the primary source of water for villages, begin to dry up rapidly. According to data released by the department, Raipur district has recorded the highest number of refilled ponds. Out of 783 ponds identified for water replenishment, 663 have already received canal water. In Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, 504 out of 586 ponds have been filled, while in Dhamtari district, water has been supplied to 329 out of 508 identified ponds. The campaign is being carried out across most districts of the state to ensure immediate relief for villagers facing water shortages for domestic and community use. The initiative is also expected to aid groundwater recharge in surrounding areas. Water released into ponds through canal systems gradually percolates into the soil, helping improve groundwater levels and sustain wells and handpumps for longer periods during summer. The initiative, under which canal water from various irrigation projects is being diverted to village ponds, is emerging as a significant step towards water conservation and groundwater recharge. Beyond providing immediate summer relief, it is also expected to strengthen awareness around preservation of traditional water bodies and local water resources in rural areas.