SIRAHA: A worsening drinking water crisis has gripped the Musahar settlements in Matiyarwa and Milan Chowk areas of Lahan Municipality-1 and 2, as prolonged drought and declining groundwater levels have caused water taps and hand pumps to dry up.
In response, local youths, in coordination with the Division Forest Office, Lahan, have begun distributing water via tankers. Youth activist Om Prakash Yadav said that around 10,000 liters of water were delivered to the affected settlements over Friday and Saturday.
“The daily lives of the people in these Musahar communities were becoming increasingly difficult. Instead of waiting for a government plan, we took the initiative and arranged for water tankers ourselves,” Yadav said, adding that water distribution would continue today as well.
Radheshyam Chaudhary, Information Officer at the Division Forest Office, said the department does not have a designated budget for water distribution. However, water was provided as immediate relief in response to the community’s urgent needs and the proactive efforts of the youth.
“We do not have a separate budget for this kind of relief, but given the situation in these Dalit settlements, we supported the initiative. If needed, we will extend this support to other areas as well,” Chaudhary said.
Local political activist Baleshwor Yadav noted that the majority of hand pumps in the area have dried up, exacerbating the crisis. “While the tanker supply has provided short-term relief, without a sustainable solution, the problem will persist,” he warned.
Youth leader Chandru Yadav echoed similar concerns, highlighting that the crisis is a result of overexploitation of groundwater, deforestation, and climate change.
“Though our efforts have provided temporary relief, only coordinated action from local, provincial, and federal governments can ensure a long-term solution,” he said, urging all three levels of government to develop and implement a sustainable drinking water plan.
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