Melamchi water supply to Kathmandu cut off in view of possible damages due to monsoon floods and landslides

KATHMANDU, May 31: The main gate of the Melamchi Drinking Water Project tunnel at Ambathan in Sindhupalchowk has been closed to avoid possible damages to the tunnel during the rainy season. With this, the water supply to Kathmandu from the Melamchi River in Helambu Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchowk has been stopped due to rain until further notice.

According to the Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee, the supply of water from the Melamchi River through the alternative system has been stopped due to incessant rainfalls and floods. The supply of water to the capital will resume through the alternative system after the monsoon season is over.

The Melamchi project has stated that the water of the Bagmati river will be treated at Sundarijal Water Treatment Plant and supplied to the people of the capital even if the water supply of Melamchi has been cut off.

The project's infrastructure was damaged due to landslides that hit the Melamchi River on July 15 last year. No damage was reported inside the tunnel as water was cut off before the floods. This year, the project has taken precautionary measures to cut off the water supply well in advance to save the project’s infrastructures.