The residents of Upper Debsi in Thimphu have been facing a water shortage for about a week now. Not only are the water sources drying up, but the residents say the construction works destroying the pipelines are also adding to their water woes.
Some 12 households reside in upper Debsi of Chang Gewog. Fort the past few days, they have been struggling to get water.
The construction workers in the area drive four kilometres to the welcome gate and fetch water. They store it in the water tank and use it for construction purposes. As for drinking water, they use bottled water.
“Since we are into construction, it’s very difficult to work without water. It’s been around six days without water. People who reside here really have water issues. We don’t even get the drinking water so I buy sets of mineral water and that’s how we quench our thirst during the work,” said Sonam Dorji, a Subcontractor at Upper Debsi.
“We have a water problem here. The tank containing water is small and the pipes have been detached from the tank as it is old. Due to which water gets leaked and tanks get empty,” added Tshering La, a resident.
As per Debsi Chiwog Tshogpa, the upper Debsi gets water from sources at Hangkugoenpa and near the Royal Thimphu College.
“We have a water source at Hangkugoenpa, which is at the top. Since it’s absorbed from the soil due to forest fire, it has started drying up. The amount of water has also become less. This is why we are having the water problem,” said chiwog Tshogpa, Dorji Wangdi.
Some residents have constructed their water connections from the source. However, the Tshogpa said there are plans to construct a single water connection from Hangkugoenpa and store the water in the newly installed tanks above the village.
As for the source near RTC, Thimphu Dzongkhag said the ongoing development of city bus parking has damaged the pipes. The dzongkhag administration looks after the water management of upper Debsi.
The office says the Debsi Water Flagship program which will begin soon, will help resolve the issue in the village.
Kelzang Choden
Edited by Sangay Chezom
