• MADHES WATER CRISIS
KATHMANDU, AUGUST 7
On August 4, Janamat Party Vice-president Abdul Khan, along with Minister of Labour and Transport of Madhes Province Chandan Singh submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Dahal to declare the Tarai-Madhes a drought-hit region and provide relief to the sufferers. However, experts say such a step should not be taken without thorough investigation of the water crisis.
"Tarai is the water mine of the country. The water crisis could be the result of lack of awareness and due to technical or construction failure," said hydrogeologist, Pratap Singh Tater, adding, "This is just a way of garnering some funds for the parties. If the Tarai region dries up, the country will be unliveable. Nepal has abundant water. Even 10 per cent has not been used yet."
It is true that some places in Madhes are grappling with water crisis. "However, the water level has not decreased though consumption has increased drastically. Specific places are facing water shortage," said Rohit Gautam, director at well drillings and consulting engineers.
Minister Chandan Singh said, "We have sought relief funds for farmers and people in drought-hit areas. The traditional well and shallow wells have dried. Sizeable cultivable land has been left barren due to water shortage and minimum rainfall this year. Hence, immediate relief and exemption of tariff on electricity used for irrigation should be provided to the farmers who have had to suffer."
"There is poor coordination among the central, provincial and local governments. We need to come together and work to tackle the water crisis. This was one of the main agenda of Janamat Party. Therefore, we have drawn the attention of the government at the perfect time," he added.
Around 4,400 households in Parsa Rural Municipality are facing severe water crisis.
"Out of 4,400 houses of Parsa Rural Municipality of Sarlahi more than 90 per cent are suffering on account of dried boring well and handpump issues. There is a situation of havoc in the local levels. Immediate action is required to fulfil the basic needs of the people," said Raju Shrestha, SNV, WASH Adviser.
Tater also argued, "Investigation of the issue is pertinent. This is an alarming situation numerous people are facing. The government must send people to investigate what has happened. Action must be taken. However, water scarcity is scarce in Tarai, not all parts are facing similar issues."
Locals lack awareness about the technology used for water. Few of the local levels have implemented directives to not install boring. They think that it affects their tube wells.
Which is completely wrong. Therefore, awareness of the use of technology should be enhanced, according to experts.
Furthermore, it is necessary to clean the tubes and monitor the technical parts of the equipment.
Sometimes, it can be a blockage in the pipes or construction failure.
The lifetime must have expired.
Hence, we need not be worried about the entire Tarai-Madhes.
Only a few places are experiencing water crisis as consumption has dramatically increased which needs to be addressed immediately.
A version of this article appears in the print on August 8, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
