Pic. Two women collect water at a well-head in a Palpa village. Drought has led to drying up of water sources in some parts of the district.
Kathmandu, May 17, 2016:Â Scores of families at Bhuwanpokhari VDC in Palpa are reeling under severe water shortage caused by drought.
After the local water sources dried up one after another, the villagers are now compelled to travel long distance every day to fetch water. Some families have even employed water carriers who charge up to Rs 500 for a day’s service.
Local Bhupalsingh Khampcha said water carriers cannot make more than five trips in one day.
“Many people employ water carriers by the day and go to fetch water themselves at night,†he said.
Around 60 households of 7 and 9 wards of Bhuwanpokhari are facing water shortage.
Another local Yam Kumari Bishwokarma said she cannot send her children to school on time these days.
“I’m busy carrying water the entire morning, so I cannot prepare my children for school,†she said.
The VDC has been facing water scarcity almost every year during dry seasons. But this time around, the situation reached to the point where all nearby water sources dried up.
The villagers have long been demanding the Drinking Water and Sanitation Division Office and District Development Committee to construct a drinking water project for them.
Local Gun Bahadur Darlami said there are fights over who gets to fill the water next because of the water shortage.
“One has to wait at least three to four hours to get a vessel of water,†he said.
