Bhubaneswar, Jan. 22 -- Incensed residents of Chhatrapur panchayat under Nilagiri block in Balasore district staged a road blockade on State Highway No. 19 on Thursday, demanding immediate resolution of a severe drinking water crisis.

The agitation erupted after a major drinking water supply pipeline burst three days ago, cutting off water to at least five villages.

According to sources, in the Nilagiri block's Chhatrapur panchayat, people in five villages-Chhatrapur, Bhagabandh, Chaturipada, Mankidiasahi, and Saruchampa-have been without drinking water for the past three days due to a burst of the drinking water connection pipe.

As a result, tension was witnessed today along with a road blockade on Sheragarh Jharanaghati stretch of St...