In the scorching summer months, the drought-stricken Bundelkhand region of northern India witnesses an intensification of caste-based water inequality. Dalit communities, traditionally marginalized and discriminated against under India's centuries-old caste hierarchy, struggle to access water from handpumps due to caste-based barriers. Activists argue that the worsening heat and water scarcity are exacerbating these pre-existing inequalities. A study reveals rising temperatures across the region, with some areas nearing 48C during recent summers. Local officials deny allegations of water shortages or caste discrimination at public water sources, while dominant-caste residents acknowledge mounting pressure on water supplies but refute any caste-based disputes at handpumps. Dalit residents, however, report informal queuing systems and fear of confrontation to avoid discrimination. In Shahjahanpur, Shiv recounted waiting hours for a single bucket of drinking water due to caste-based prejudice. Three years ago, his mother Parmi Devi was assaulted in a water dispute linked to caste. Despite filing a police complaint, no arrests have been made. The Dalit Dignity and Justice Centre (DDJC) documented 113 cases of caste-based atrocities in the region in 2025, with the majority involving water disputes during the hottest months. To truly comprehend the impact of the heat, it is crucial to examine the situation from the perspective of the most excluded communities.