KATHMANDU: The water distribution system in the Kathmandu Valley has become unstable following heavy rains that began last Friday, disrupting the flow from sources to the distribution network.
Prakash Kumar Rai, Spokesperson for Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Limited (Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited — KUKL), told Khabarhub that the springs supplying water to the Valley, along with processing centers and most distribution stations, suffered significant damage from flooding.
Rai said that the distribution system serving Lalitpur and the supply line from Pharping have been severely impacted, leading to water being delivered only through a partial distribution system.
He noted that some distribution stations remain flooded, and cleaning efforts are underway with all available manpower.
Water from Melamchi, which has been closed since June due to rain, has not yet resumed supply to Kathmandu.
In response, KUKL has been extracting water from surrounding rivers and underground sources, processing it for distribution.
The incessant rains from Thursday and Friday further damaged water fountains, pumps, and the distribution system.
As a result, since Saturday, KUKL has been unable to distribute water to most areas of the valley as scheduled.
“In the absence of Melamchi drinking water, we are relying on nearby rivers and underground sources,” Rai explained, adding that the rains have exacerbated conditions in all the rivers.
Rai emphasized that it is difficult to predict when the water distribution system will return to normal, but efforts to restore it are ongoing.
“All pump houses have been flooded, springs have been washed away, and some processing centers have been damaged,” he said. “This is why we are facing challenges in the distribution system.”
He mentioned that many stations are currently inaccessible, and some KUKL offices have also been affected.
However, he confirmed that water from Sundarijal has been resumed as of Monday, although pumping underground water will depend on the drying of surface water in certain areas.
The Weather Forecasting Division has forecasted heavy rains in the Bagmati and Koshi regions starting tomorrow.
Rai cautioned that further rainfall could hinder the repair work on KUKL’s distribution and pumping systems.
As the issues persist with KUKL’s water distribution system, concerns are rising about drinking water shortages in the Kathmandu Valley.
Many Kathmanduites have begun to feel the impact on their daily lives due to the lack of reliable water supply over the past week.
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