KATHMANDU: A severe water shortage has hit Baglung market after floods damaged key pipelines of the local water supply project, affecting approximately 4,500 consumers.
The damage to the infrastructure has disrupted the regular water supply system in the area.
According to the town water supply and consumer association, the floods caused significant damage to pipelines near Hanumanmauwa in Baglung Municipality-3.
Acting chairman of the association, Haribahadur GC ‘Santosh’, stated that the pipelines carrying water from Kailampokhari to the Sulldanda and Mushyaswara tanks, as well as supply lines from the Rithekhola and Bhundikhola sources, were damaged.
The continuous rainfall and flooding affected all four primary water sources serving the market area. Approximately 80 meters of pipe were washed away in the Rithekhola area alone. While some repairs have been completed, the extent of the damage to the main sources and distribution network has delayed the restoration of services.
Consumers are now forced to purchase water from tankers to meet their daily needs. Local resident Dinesh Shris noted that the delay in repairs has caused significant hardship for the public. Rajankumar Shakya, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, added that the prolonged water crisis has also severely disrupted hotel and restaurant businesses.
Four days after the supply was interrupted, the Baglung Municipality began distributing water using fire engines and tankers. Senior public health inspector Dinesh GC confirmed that 48,000 litres of water were distributed on Wednesday, with plans to continue the service on Thursday based on consumer demand.
