The people of Rinchhenzor village in Pema Gatshel were all excited about getting a new water source when it was included in the government’s Water Flagship Programme. However, with the delay in the installation of the water pump and water distribution pipeline, residents are still fetching water from their old source. And people say the existing source is drying and not sufficient.
Today, due to drinking water scarcity, fetching water from nearby sources like this and storing in containers and carrying it all the way up to their houses have been a routine practice for the residents.
There are three sources below their village. Nearly 20 households drink from these sources with the help of an electric pump.
“Without enough water, maintaining hygiene and developing agriculture and rearing cattle have been difficult. As we are located near the highway, it’s easier for us to market our agricultural produce. However, due to water scarcity, it’s been difficult,” said Sherab Thinley, a resident of Rinchhenzor.
“Rearing cattle requires more water. I have to carry water at least four to five times a day. I usually store it in a barrel. Fetching water and carrying it on our backs is exhausting,” said Rinzin, another resident.
“We have a severe problem of drinking water shortage. Soon the source will dry up. We are storing the water in a tank and using the pump today. However, the source becomes smaller after two months,” said Cheten Zangmo, a resident.
“Till now, we have been drinking from here. Now the source is getting smaller and it’s difficult for us to meet the requirements. There are 16 to 17 households that drink from this tank. We are using the pump to fetch water on a rotational basis,” said Chedra, a resident.
As of today, the construction of the tank and pump house is ready. However, with the delay in the installation of the pump and water distribution pipeline, people’s excitement has remained buried. The construction work which started in January last year were supposed to complete in October last year.
“Even if the pump gets installed at the earliest, without a water pipeline distribution, it will be useless,” said Chedra.
“We were happy thinking we would get enough drinking water this time. We are already into the first month of the Bhutanese calendar and the plan hasn’t materialised yet. Forget about having enough water, we haven’t even started the distribution pipeline works. We are worried,” said Sherab Thinley.
According to the Nganglam Dungkhag Administration, the contractor couldn’t get the specified pump in the market. As a result, they have written to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport requesting assistance and direction. They have yet to hear from the ministry.
The Dungkhag Administration said they are also waiting for the ministry’s advice on laying the water distribution pipelines.
Once the pump installation and distribution pipeline is complete, it will benefit more than 50 households in Rinchhenzor village.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
