LAMJUNG: Locals of Besisahar Municipality in Lamjung district are reeling under a shortage of drinking water after water sources in the area started drying up.

The water scarcity has especially affected hotel entrepreneurs as the tourist season has begun. Lack of water supply tankers in the district has further aggravated the problem, claimed local hotel entrepreneur Anju Paudel.

Household chores and use of toilet have become difficult due to lack of water, another local, Kalapana Thapa Bohara of Bashar Municipality-8 said while adding that it has been over one and a half months since drinking water has stopped coming from the taps.

Although the demand of water has increased in the area, we cannot meet the needs as water sources are drying up in the locality, said Krishna Kumar Pradhan, President of Besisahar Consumer Committee on Drinking Water and Sanitation.

According to the committee, 1.7 million to 2 million litres of drinking water are being delivered to 3.5 million consumers through 2,670 water taps in Besisahar area from eight different water sources including an underground boring. However, the demand for water in the district is around 52 million litres daily.

Following the water scarcity, Besisahar Municipality has started to supply water using fire engines, especially to wards 7 and 8 of the municipality.