Samtse town is grappling with a severe water shortage, plunging its residents and businesses into a dire situation. The water shortage has forced hoteliers and restaurateurs to close shops early. With water coming only for a few hours, and sometimes not at all, the struggle for businesses and residents is escalating. This has been going on for a few weeks now.
While most shops in the town, ranging from groceries to hardware and clothing stores, have managed to operate without a reliable water supply, the scenario takes a different turn for hotel and restaurant owners.
The inadequacy of water hampers these businesses from operating at their full capacity.
There are about 55 restaurants and five hotels in Samtse town.
“We are facing a severe water shortage in the town. The limited water supply is available for only a few hours a day and it is forcing us to close our shops early,” said Dhan Kumari Gurung, a restaurant owner.
Sonam Deki, a bakery owner said, “we are facing challenges in maintaining health and hygiene due to the inadequate water supply in town areas. Moreover, the ongoing construction works in the town area are making our shops very dirty. And to clean it, we need water which we don’t have.”
“Since I run a restaurant and a bakery together, we need constant water supply. But today, we have to borrow water from other shops and use it for various purposes. It would be better if the building owners and the municipal office could help us get sufficient water for our businesses,” said Yedu Raj Ghalley, a restaurant owner.
Some businesses have resorted to purchasing water reservoirs and large buckets to store whatever water they can.
Despite these measures, the scarcity remains.
The case is the same with the residents living in and around the town areas.
According to the municipal office, both the town and its surrounding areas were dependent on the 2.5-million-litre water source at Dhamdum and a supplementary water source.
The supplementary water source was washed away by heavy rainfall recently.
The office however has assured the public that efforts are underway to restore the damaged water source.
Officials said for a more permanent fix, they are looking for a new water source.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Tshering Zam
