PUNE: About 17.46 lakh rural population of Pune division is facing severe water scarcity and most of them are dependent on tankers for drinking water supply, said a senior officer from the divisional commissionerate.

The revised report on water scarcity in villages and hamlets stated that 865 villages and 3,823 hamlets in the division are facing severe water crisis. The available sources have dried up and people have to depend on water supplied by the government.