KATHMANDU, Sept 22: This year, water from the Melamchi project will reach the Kathmandu Valley only in the mid of October.
Due to heavy rainfall, the flow of water in the Melamchi River has increased, making it impossible to supply water to Kathmandu before Dashain, said Jagannath Das, Executive Director of the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board.
He added, “The water flow has not decreased. Once it is reduced, preparations will be made to supply water.” Following the flood and landslide on June 15, 2021 which completely damaged the project’s headworks, Melamchi water has been supplied to the valley only during the winter, Das explained. Recent heavy rainfall has further complicated the supply of Melamchi water to Kathmandu.
Melamchi project to resume water supply in Kathmandu Valley fro...
Earlier, about 170–180 million liters of water were transferred daily from Melamchi to Kathmandu. However, due to the closure of the Melamchi source from the floods, currently 60–70 million liters are being supplied daily via the Riberma River, said Executive Director Das.
He added, “Melamchi water was stopped in Asar. Now we are distributing water from the Riberma River.” On March 29, 2022 water distribution from Melamchi reached a full capacity of 170 million liters per day. But due to the severe floods in Melamchi and Indrawati in Asar and Saun, significant damage occurred, and full-year supply has not yet resumed.
According to Ashok Kumar Paudel, Executive Director of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), Kathmandu Valley’s daily water demand is 430 million liters. During the Melamchi shutdown, only 130–140 million liters were supplied daily from other sources.
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