Residents of Kathmandu to receive Melamchi water before Dashain

KATHMANDU, Sept 20: Residents of Kathmandu will receive water from Melamchi ahead of the Dashain festival, with preparations for the transfer reaching their final stages.

Drinking Water Supply Minister Pradeep Yadav instructed the timely delivery of Melamchi water before Dashain.

In response, the Melamchi Water Supply Development Committee is working on the project.

Ratna Lamichhane, executive director of the committee, announced that a team has been deployed to expedite the water transfer process to Kathmandu.

“We are preparing to bring water from Melamchi to Kathmandu by the last week of September,” Lamichhane stated.

As part of this effort, repairs are underway for damaged drinking water pipes in Kathmandu.

Water supply in the Valley was halted in June due to the onset of the rainy season and subsequent flood damage.

With the likelihood of flooding diminishing, plans are in place to resume water distribution.

According to the Committee, the demand for water in Kathmandu Valley is 430 million liters per day, with 170 million liters being sourced from Melamchi until June 24.

Currently, about 20 million liters of water is being sourced daily from the Melamchi River in Sindhupalchowk.

In Kathmandu, preparations are underway to shift the intake point 800 meters upward in the Sarkathali area, allowing for a year-round water supply. For Melamchi water, a new pipeline extending 1,700 kilometers has been installed in the Kathmandu Valley.