Tatipudi Padma, a 38-year-old woman from Palliveedhi, Andhra Pradesh, died after a fight while filling water from a public tap at Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. The woman had been standing for a long time in a queue in order to get water when another lady Podugu Gunnamma tried to cut the queue. This led to an argument between the two. Another woman, Teppala Sundaramma also joined in and the three began to hit each other with the pots.

The sub-inspector of police K Venkatesh said: “In a fit of rage, Sundaramma beat up Padma with her steel pot and pushed her down on the cement road. Padma suffered serious injuries on her head and died instantly.” He added: “There has been mad rush at the public taps leading to stampedes every day because the women are worried the water supply would be cut before their turn comes.” A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered and Sundaramma has been held.

The severe drought in Andhra Pradesh has been posing severe issues. The Chief Minister had announced a calamity relief fund of Rs. 2000 crores. Locals have been involved in peaceful protests in some areas, blocking the state highway. One of the women involved in the dharna said: “There has been no drinking water supply to eleven villages in the block from Baggam Doravalasa pilot project for the last one week. We want the authorities to respond immediately and resolve this severe water shortage.”