Kulamati and Panabi villages of Phangkhar Gewog in Zhemgang still do not have access to sufficient safe drinking water.
While the problem is not new, it’s been a year now since the problem worsened. The shortage is particularly acute during winter months.
In summer, rainwater comes to their rescue. At other times, the villagers depend on a nearby stream.
It takes them about half an hour to fetch water from that stream. Pangkhar Gup Tshering Tashi said works are underway to put in place a new water supply in Kulamati village.
As for Panabi village, the problem is expected to be solved once the existing water pump for the village, which broke down a few months ago, is fixed.
However, the Gup said it’s not clear when the water pump maintenance work would be complete.
