Cuttack: More than half of the drinking water coolers installed by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation(CMC) have been found defunct, leaving citizens struggling in temperatures exceeding 40°C.Sources said 33 out of 59 water coolers across Cuttack city are defunct, affecting thousands of pedestrians, street vendors and daily commuters.Key areas including CDA, Buxi Bazar, Jagatpur, Mata Matha, Nua Patana, Nua Bazar, Tulsipur, Kesharpur and Ring Road are among the affected locations.”These water coolers are a good initiative but what’s the point if they don’t work when needed the most?” Suresh Nayak, a shopkeeper in Nayasadak Area, who now spends extra on bottled water daily, said.The situation is further aggravated by poor maintenance and hygiene issues. Many cooler sites have become health hazards with overflowing water, clogged drains and accumulated garbage, attracting stray dogs and becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes.”Most of the coolers haven’t been checked since last monsoon. They’ve become mere showpieces,” Priyanka Mohanty, a Buxi Bazar resident, said.Daily wage worker Ramesh Behera said, “It’s not just about water; the place is filthy and unsafe.”Responding to public outcry, CMC mayor Subhash Singh has promised immediate action. “We have directed the engineering and public health wings to carry out urgent repairs,” he said, adding that the corporation will also address the cleanliness issues around the coolers.