Many in the south welcome the rain because it is an opportunity to beat the blazing heat. But it is not without problems. The water sources are damaged and supply disrupted. And this is a perennial problem in Samdrup Gatshel, Kipshe and Bangtsho in Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde.
People store water in buckets. And it has been a ritual for several years now.
Dungjur, a resident of the thromde said “The water supply is erratic here. Sometimes we don’t receive water for weeks. We inform the thromde officials. We face many problems.”
“I think pipeline from the source is small so we don’t get water daily. It would be better if the thromde could replace the pipes. Now, the population in the town is also increasing,” said Bhim Bdr. Karki.
Another thromde resident Tshering Cheki said “We have to stay for two to three days without water supply. And when the water comes, it is dirty.”
The SamdrupJongkharthromde’s Chief Engineer, NimaDorji said the heavy rain damage the pipes every time. He also said most of the buildings do not have water tanks making the situation worse.
Meanwhile, the thromde plans to construct a water treatment plant at Morongchhu in the next two years. The ministry of works and human settlement is designing the structure. Until then, some two thousand residents will continue to face the problem.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
