After years of struggle without adequate drinking water, a new water supply scheme has come to the rescue of Rangaytung residents in Chhukha’s Samphelling Gewog. The village’s water source began drying up a few years ago, and the increasing population made the situation worse. However, water shortage issues persist in other villages in the gewog.
The Rangaytung Water Supply Scheme is expected to solve the growing water issues in both upper and lower Rangaytung. The village also has a primary school and a primary health centre.
The new scheme draws water from a source located over 20 kilometres from the village.
“The water from the source became less and less while the population in the village kept growing. Now, with the new water project, we are hopeful that we will have enough water,” said Keshor Rai, Chairman of Water User Group in Rangaytung.
“We are really thankful to have a new water scheme. The water is already coming, and we are hoping to have enough water hereafter,” said Aita Maya Rai, another resident.
Gangchuk, Principal of Rangaytung Primary School said “We had a water shortage in the school. Our water source is the same as the health centre and Rangaytung village. We had to repair the source time and again. Now, the new water scheme will benefit us a lot.”
According to Samphelling Gup Ram Kumar Rai, despite other villages facing similar issues, Rangaytung was given priority due to the severity of its water shortage.
“The issue of water sources drying up is not just in Rangaytung. However, we had to implement the scheme here as it has more households of about 75. Moreover, about seven households in Thongling also get water from this source. There is also a health centre and a school.”
The gup added that work is ongoing to solve water issues in other villages.
The SNV Bhutan-funded scheme in Rangaytung costs almost Nu 2 M. Villagers also participated in completing the project.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Sherub Dorji
