People residing in the lower part of Khamdang Gewog in Trashi Yangtse have been reeling under a severe water crisis for more than two decades now. Local authorities blame the increasing population and outdated pipelines, resulting in frequent outbursts as the main cause of the worsening water problem.
About 450 households of the three chiwogs in lower Khamdang rely on the only water source in Booyang for their drinking water supply.
It is located around 17 kilometres away from their villages. However, the supply is unreliable due to repeated leaking of old pipes along the way.
People receive running water for only about 10 to 15 minutes, which is barely enough for drinking.
Some fetch water from the nearby groundwater. Residents described their dire conditions without adequate water.
“Without enough water at our doorstep, we cannot practice good hygiene. During monsoon, we remain without water for weeks, so in such situations, it is challenging to do household chores,” complained one of the residents in Lower Khamdang, Yeshi Dorji.
Another resident, Sonam Choden, narrates a familiar issue.
“We cannot cultivate vegetables due to acute water crunch. Otherwise, this place is favourable for all kinds of vegetables.”
The gewog mended the pipes in the past. But, the solution was short-lived. Since the chiwogs are near the Kholongchhu Hydropower Project site, the growing population has added to the water woes. Also, small cemented reservoirs in the chiwogs have less intake capacity.
The Khamdang Gewog administration planned to replace the existing pipes with galvanised iron pipes. However, this requires at least Nu 20 M, which exceeds the gewog’s annual budget.
“We cannot replace pipes using our annual budget. So, we are planning to put up a request and seek assistance from the National DeSuung water supply project,” told Khamdang Gup, Tashi Wangchuk.
Unless a tangible solution comes up, residents of these three chiwogs will have to continue coping with the water shortage.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Pema Lhaden
