Delay in Melamchi Water Supply to Kathmandu Until Rain Subsides

The supply of Melamchi water to the Kathmandu Valley will be put on hold until the rainy conditions subside. The ongoing rainfall in the upper region of the Melamchi River has resulted in the closure of the tunnel during flooding incidents.

Rajendra Prasad Pant, the Information Officer of the Melamchi Water Supply Development Committee, stated that the transportation of water to Kathmandu can only resume once the river is flowing with clean water. He clarified that the project has not decided to suspend water supply to the Kathmandu Valley for the current month, but the tunnel remains closed due to flooding caused by heavy rains. Pant mentioned that as soon as the rain ceases, the water will be supplied to the Kathmandu Valley once again.

The project had devised a plan to ensure uninterrupted water supply throughout this year's monsoon season in the Kathmandu Valley. However, the tunnel had to be closed temporarily when lead contamination was detected in the water. Pant explained that the donor agencies involved in the project and the consulting company decided to close the tunnel as a precautionary measure to avoid any potential issues during operation. The closure will persist until the rainy period ends to prevent the accumulation of sand and mud while transporting the water.

Despite Melamchi water being successfully supplied to Kathmandu during the winter season last year, the tunnel had to be closed during the rainy season. The project faced damage during a flood in the Melamchi area on Ashad 1, 2078, and the reconstruction of the affected structures is still pending.

Source: Rastriya Samchar Samiti (RSS)