Surkhet, June 1

Karnali Province’s headquarters, Birendranagar of Surkhet is reeling under acute shortage of water.

The shortage of drinking water hit the locals after Surkhet Valley Drinking Water Consumers’ Committee started to supply water once in every 96 hours.

Consumers started complaining after water supply was limited to once in four days. Earlier, water was supplied in the morning and evening, daily.

Consumers’ committee said water supply was cut due to burgeoning population and drying up of water sources. Committee Chair Kulmani Devkota said, drying water sources had led to the crisis of drinking water in the valley.

Devkota said drought had affected water sources. “Compared to the past, water supply from the sources has declined,” Devkota added.

The daily demand of water supply in Surkhet stands at 15.4 million litres. However, the valley can only supply 7.25 million litres of water, at present. “Now, our only alternative is to supply water from the Bheri River,” Devkota said.

A detailed project report was prepared for supplying water to the valley from the Bheri River. However, the project has failed to pick up pace for want of budget. “Supplying drinking water to the valley from the Bheri River is the only alternative to rid Surkhet of water woes permanently,” Devkota said.