Residents of Gyalpoizhing town in Monggar are going to drastic lengths to get water, as the town battles an acute drinking water crisis following a flash flood last summer. The flood washed away two water intake reservoirs and partially damaged a sedimentation tank near the source.
A temporary reservoir has been built near the water source, which is a few kilometres from Gyalpoizhing town. But it rarely serves its purpose, especially during the wet season.
The pipes, which are connected directly from the source to the reservoir, get blocked by small gravel and mud. At times, when the blockage is cleared, residents receive murky water, which is unfit for drinking purposes.
So, carrying empty receptacles to fetch water from the nearby places and streams is their daily norm.
“It is an everyday routine to fetch water from the bore wells, located near the Gyaltshab’s office, some get water from Yongri- a stream near the workshop area. Those owing cars drive to Yunaridrang to wash clothes and dishes,” tells one of the residents in Gyalpoizhing town, Sonam Dhendup.
He says the water problem has been there since he moved to Gyalpoizhing about seven years ago.
“We face the drinking water problem every summer. Even, if there is a water supply, it is so murky, that cannot be used for drinking or even washing dishes. The Desung National Service Water Project was completed and handed over to us. But drinking water problem persists.”
Some others also shared the plight of water scarcity in their town.
“We have been facing a shortage of drinking water for almost a week. Continuous rain has disrupted the water supply. Before that, we have been getting dirty water, which is unfit for drinking,” says another resident, Lham Tshering, while filling up his empty jerry can at the Yongri stream.
If there are long queues, he travels to other places, which are close by.
“I often come here to fetch water but if many people are queued, I go to Je Khenpo’s residence, which is close by to get water.”
Some residents said they risk their lives going to the nearby streams for washing purposes.
“We come here at Yunaridrang to wash clothes and dishes. We have to take along our kids to bathe them but there is a risk of flashfloods any time,” said Kezang Dechen, who has been living in Gyalpoizhing town for years now.
These days, the business community visits the source every day to restore water. But it is not much of a help as continuous rain blocks the pipes.
The District Engineer said during the downpour season, the water treatment plant also does not function well. The pebbles and other dust particles block its filters, hindering it to purify the water.
But there is good news along the way. The construction of a permanent water reservoir tank is underway near the water source.
However, due to the dire water problem, the district administration is pushing the contractor to complete the work by end of this month, two months ahead of the deadline.
Meanwhile, works to supply water from another source at Tsangkhar in Drepoong Gewog are ongoing. This may end the persistent water woes for more than 3,000 residents in Gyalpoizhing town.
Sonam Tshering, Monggar
Edited by Pema Lhaden
