Water scarcity in Ahirpurwa village, Jharkhand, has severe socio-economic and health consequences, disproportionately affecting rural women. A study reveals that 52% of households rely on monsoon-dependent hand pumps, forcing women to spend an average of 2 h daily collecting water from 1.5 km away, while other sources, such as wells and rivers, are unreliable, especially in the summer. This crisis disrupts livelihoods—72% report reduced farm productivity, 64% face income loss, and 80% are unable to pursue other work due to the time spent fetching water. Nutritionally, 47% of women have a BMI below 18.5, consuming only 1500 kcal and 30 g of protein daily—far below recommended levels. Their diets lack diversity, with 92% relying on carbohydrates and just 14% accessing protein-rich foods regularly. Contaminated water worsens health, with 38% of households affected by typhoid, 12% by diarrhea, and 16% by skin infections. Seasonal shortages exacerbate the crisis, as hand pumps drop to 20% functionality in summer, often yielding unsafe water. The findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable water solutions, including better infrastructure, clean water access, and agricultural support. Addressing these challenges through integrated policies can empower women, strengthen livelihoods, and build community resilience against water scarcity.