DADELDHURA: More than 31 per cent of the total population in Dadheldhura district is bereft of basic drinking water as of the last fiscal year.

Of the 28,434 households in seven local units of the district, the number of households availing drinking water service stood at 19,669, according to the Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Division Office, Dadeldhura.

Only 79.17 per cent of the households is availing drinking water, informed Division Office Chief Rabin Shreshta. He claims that the Office is aiming to ensure drinking water supply to all households in the district within five years and works have been forwarded accordingly.