Baglung Bazaar endures water shortage for days

BAGLUNG, June 19: Water supply system in Baglung Bazar remains disrupted for the past five days, leading to acute shortage of water in the town.

Supply of drinking water got stopped for days after floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains damaged drinking water pipes, making life hard. At regular times too, drinking water is in short supply here.  

With the cessation of water supply, Baglung Bazar folks are seen going towards Tityad, Gaindakot and Handepakha, the areas that lie at opposite direction of the settlement carrying empty water pots, bottles and jars in search of water. 

Though the Baglung Municipality Drinking Water and Consumers Committee is trying to restore the water supply, it has not been possible as of today. The consumers say they are finding it very hard to manage water for very basic but essential sanitation needs. 

As the  time demands people to stay indoors as much as possible and  to pay much attention to personal hygiene and cleanliness, and keep surfaces clean to stay safe from COVID-19 virus,  contrary to this, the Baglung Bazar folks are forced to flock towards nearby areas for fetching water.  

The water shortage has posed a grave problem even for toilet use, they complained.  Consumers’ Committee manager Himal Sharma said they are doing all possible to restore the water supply system, but it has not been possible yet due to massive damages caused by the floods and landslides to the three water sources at multiple places. 

Water is brought from the Riththekhola, Reshkhola and Bhudikhola sources to Baglung Bazar. A reserve tank of the water supply system at Suldanda in Baglung Municipality-3 is also at risk due to landslides in the area.