Sunday, January 18th, 2026

Cloud of uncertainty looms over Melamchi Drinking Water Project



KATHMANDU: Dates of redistribution of water from the Melamchi project to Kathmandu have become uncertain after the floods and landslides damaged the tunnel on the same day the tunnel was emptied.

The dam, tunnel, road, the motorable bridge, and the structure of the Melamchi project in Helambu of Sindhupalchowk have been damaged by the floods and landslides last Tuesday.

The dam of the Melamchi project has been cut off due to floods.

The last section of the access road connecting the dam of the project has collapsed into the Melamchi River.

The project had tested the distribution of water in the Kathmandu Valley through the reserve tank of Sundarijal.

The project has currently stopped distribution for the maintenance of the tunnel.

The technicians are confused as to when the Melamchi water will be distributed in the Kathmandu Valley.

Division Engineer and Spokesperson of the project Rajendra Prasad Pant says that they cannot predict as to when the water would be distributed again.

According to him, the upper part of the dam source, which is about four meters high, has been damaged by the landslide.

Likewise, two bailey bridges at the dam site, an engineering camp and a security post have been flooded.

Publish Date : 20 June 2021 11:30 AM

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