Pokhara, August 7

More than 50 per cent of supply of drinking water to Pokhara has been cut off after the water supply pipeline leading from Kaski’s Mardi river was swept away by monsoon-triggered flood.

The pipes are 16 and 20 inches in circumference.

At least four 20 inch pipes were swept away at the confluence of the Seti and Mardi rivers on July 25.

Currently, drinking water is being supplied through 16 inch pipeline from the Mardi river as more than 50 per cent supply has been cut off following the flooding.

Nepal Water Supply Corporation had installed separate pipelines of 16 and 20 inches in the city. Now some taps are still running with water while some have dried up.

Residents around the Lakeside area have been particularly hit by the water crisis.

Meanwhile, private water businesses are flourishing in the backdrop of the unprecedented shortage

of water. Private companies are drawing boring water and selling them at exorbitant prices at the market.

NWSC engineer Dineshwor Yadav said the pipes will be installed within a week. Pokhara consumes around 40.5 million litres of water on a daily basis.