SINDHUPALCHOK: The diversion of Melamchi drinking water to Kathmandu has been halted after locals shut down the water tunnel at Ambathan, Helambu Rural Municipality-1.
According to the Melamchi Flood Victims Struggle Committee, the group has padlocked the site office of the Melamchi Water Supply Project, warning that water diversion will not resume until their demands are fulfilled.
The committee, together with representatives of local political parties and flood-affected residents, said that previous agreements reached during earlier protests have not been implemented.
“The government has failed to honor the commitments made to flood victims. Until our demands are met, water will not be allowed to flow to Kathmandu,” said Nawaraj Guragain, vice-chairman of the committee.
The locals have raised a series of demands, including the construction of embankments to control the river and protect at-risk settlements, loan waivers for flood victims who had taken credit to build homes and businesses along the Melamchi corridor before the 2021 flood, and compensation of Rs 1 million to the families of those who lost their lives.
They have also demanded that a portion of the water levy be allocated to local governments and that displaced families receive grants of Rs 2 million for rebuilding homes.
The flood victims have further sought the implementation of employment and income-generating programs to help restore livelihoods affected by the disaster.
The committee reminded authorities that an agreement had been reached on October 9, 2024, among the Ministry of Water Supply, Helambu Rural Municipality, and the Struggle Committee, during which then Water Supply Minister Pradeep Yadav had expressed commitment to fulfill the locals’ demands.
However, those commitments remain unaddressed, prompting the renewed protest.
The devastating flood on June 15, 2021, destroyed large portions of the Melamchi River basin, washing away homes, roads, and farmland. Since then, affected families have repeatedly called for rehabilitation, compensation, and disaster-prevention measures.
Local leaders have said that unless the government takes concrete steps to address the long-standing grievances of flood victims, the diversion of Melamchi water to Kathmandu will remain completely suspended.
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