In Samdrup Jongkhar, the people of Richhanglu village in Gomdar Gewog have been living with acute water shortages for several years. The situation is dire now. Frustrated at the lack of action to solve the issue, villagers now demand local authorities to provide reliable drinking water. Richhanglu is home to more than 120 villagers.
Of 39 households in the village, 11 households located in upper Richhanglu are facing acute water shortage.
Water taps are running dry, and villagers are forced to store every last drop. And for 28 households in lower Richhanglu, dry season means dry water taps.
“Our village is located at the same level as the water source, so water is unable to reach here, and we are unable to find any solution. Without water, we cannot maintain hygiene, and we are unable to cultivate any vegetables as well,” said Sangay Chophel, a resident.
“The path to our water source is also challenging due to steep terrain. The water intake source and outlet taps are at the same level, resulting in no water pressure. Moreover, if the pipeline gets damaged along the way, it takes days to repair,” said Damchoe Norbu, another resident.
“Water is not sufficient here. When water is used during Tshechu, we have to stay over two weeks without water,” said Pema Wangmo, also a resident.
For lower Richhanglu, a separate water supply was constructed in 2012. Since then, no effort has been made to supply Richhanglu with adequate water.
In 2003, upper Richhanglu was supplied with water from the Barkaphu stream. The supply line was last maintained in 2010.
“We will be grateful if the government could maintain it. If we get additional water pipes, I think the water problem will be solved,” said Thinley Yoezor, a villager.
“If the government could explore and provide water pumping machines, it would be beneficial. Our current water source is limited, and there are no other alternatives available,” said Sangay Chophel, also a villager.
Meanwhile, Gomdar Gup Karchung said that the gewog administration is actively seeking solutions to provide water to Richhanglu village.
He added that by the 13th Five-Year Plan, the administration aims to ensure sufficient water supply to Richhanglu village, either by maintaining the existing system or by tapping into a new water source.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sherub Dorji
