Dhading, November 30

Locals at Baradanda of Baireni, Dhading, have been reeling under water crisis after local water sources dried up due to the April 25 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

As many as 12 households have no option but to walk for more than half-an-hour to fetch a pitcher of water. “We are suffering due to water crunch for the first time after local wells turned dry following the earthquake,” said Bharat Adhikari, School Management Committee chairman of Amleshwor Primary School.

Local Shyam Prasad Adhikari said, “Earlier, we’d fetch water from nearby wells. However, as they turned dry following the quake, we have no option but to walk to fetch water. The travel consumes our entire morning,” he lamented, adding, “We are, with great difficulty, managing water for household and kitchen use, but it is not possible to feed cattle. I am 66 years old and have never faced such crisis before,” lamented Adhikari.

“After the deadly quake destroyed our houses and sheds, the water crunch has added to our woes,” regretted local Shiva Prasad Adhikari. According to locals, water level in the local wells had increased for two to three months after the quake, but they turned dry unexpectedly. “We have been compelled to shift the settlement to other areas solely due to water crunch. Though water is people’s fundamental right, we have been deprived of it,” he said.

Meanwhile, a grand drinking water project is all set to launch at Jyamrung VDC of the district with financial aid from India. The government of India has decided to grant INR 16.2 million for the project. An agreement regarding monetary support has been signed between the two sides, said locals. District Development Committee, Dhading will implement the project, which is expected to benefit as many as 250 households.