KHOTANG: Locals of various VDCs of Khotang district are reeling under acute shortage of water of late. People of Bijaykhark, Lichkiramche, Baksila, Matim, Batase, Khotang Bazaar, Dhitung, Halesi, Durchim, Chyamsimtar, Bdhare, Mangaltar and Dikuwa among other VDCs are facing a hard time due to water shortage. Locals said that the crisis surfaced after the water sources in the village went dry. According to Karna Bahadur Raut, a local of Lichkiramcha-7 of kalapani, they have to walk three to four hours a day to fetch just a pitcher of water. Komal Dhakal, a teacher, of Bihakharka VDC informed that the whole village is reeling under acute shortage of water due to last year's devastating earthquake. The crisis has also forced many villagers to migrate to other places, he informed. It has been learned that insufficient rain even in the midst of the rainy reason has added to the woes of the villagers.