KATHMANDU: Cocking a snook at the acute water crisis, groundwater extraction is rampant in the Kathmandu Valley.
Though the Valley requires around 220 million litres of water daily, the supply is pegged at half of that — approximately 100 million litres.
Vendors and suppliers hired by the previous contractor, Cooperativa Muratori e Cementisti di Ravenna, threaten stir over unpaid dues.
Work at the Melamchi Water Supply Project has been halted since last December.
Read more: Melamchi project payment row could hinder work yet againकञ्चनमणिदीक्षित
यही सन् २०१९ मनसुनअगाडि भारतको चेन्नाईसहरमा भएको पानीको हाहाकारले हामी सबैलाईचिन्तित तुल्यायो।चेन्नाईमाकरिब ४१ प्रतिशत पानी पर्न कम भएको र मनसुनअगाडिनै पिउने पानी संकलन र बाँडफाडगर्न प्रयोग भएका ताल र खोला पूर्ण रूपमा सुके। त्यसबेला चेन्नाईमाप्लास्टिकका बोतलमा पाइने पानीको मूल्य ४ गुणा बढेको थियो। कार्यालयमा पिउनतथा शौचालयमा प्रयोग गर्न पानीअभाव भएपछिकतिपयसंस्थाले त आफ्ना कर्मचारीलाई घरमै बसेर कार्यालयकाकाम गर्नसमेत निर्देशनदिए। मनसुनको वर्षाले भने केही राहत दिएको छ।
As cities are becoming more prone to water scarcity, the government needs to pay heed.
In this file photo, people take turns to collect drinking water from a stone spout at Panipokhari in Kathmandu.
Read more: Water security is a major issue for small and medium-sized cities, tooThese conservation ponds have helped enhance underground water reserves, creating adequate water supply in the area.
These conservation ponds have helped enhance underground water reserves, creating an adequate water supply in the area. Pratap Bista/TKP
Read more: Construction of conservation ponds in Province 3 shows positive result