Melamchi water to be stopped before rains

The Melamchi Drinking Water Project Development Committee has decided to stop bringing water from Melamchi before the onset of rains. Although the water was brought back to Kathmandu from the temporary structure two weeks ago, the committee stated that water could not be brought regularly to prevent further damage to the project site due to rains.

Currently, 170 million litres of water are being distributed daily in Kathmandu Valley. Project Information Officer Rajendra Prasad Pant said that the project should be vigilant this year as floods and landslides damaged the project on the first day of July last year. "The tunnel should be closed before the onset of rains to prevent flooding," he said. Kathmandu Valley residents are happy after the water started flowing again.

In some places, people have complained about the lack of water, but the number of complaints regarding distribution has decreased compared to last year. The committee has stated that discussions are underway to bring Bagmati water to Sundarijal by treating it as Melamchi water that could not be brought during the rainy season.

Minister for Water Supply Umakanta Chaudhary had started redistribution by opening the key (valve) in the office of Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited, Baneshwor branch on December 25. The distribution of 50 million litres of water started on the first day and out of 80 million, 170 million litres of water have been distributed.

Water transit was started for the first time in Phagun last year. The tunnel was closed for testing for three months after distributing water in the valley. The floods on the same day damaged various structures including the headworks but did not cause much damage to the main tunnel.

The structure of the construction company was also damaged due to repeated floods in June. Even after the rains, the access road to the project site was flooded and could not be repaired for a long time. After the temporary maintenance of the road, the obstructions were removed by reaching the project site.

The project has not been completed yet even though preparations have been made for the temporary operation of water. The flood damage in the upper part of the project site has not been repaired. The donor body, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is studying the damage. The committee has stated that the bank will submit its report soon.