"There is no tap water facility in her village. We have been forced to walk for two hours to fetch a bucket of water," said Bista, shifting the vessel she uses to carry water from the left side of her waist to the right.
Over 300 households residing at Belapur of Dadeldhura and Sigas 3 and 4 in Baitadi district are currently reeling under acute water crisis in lack of drinking water facility. Most of them are compelled to spend their entire day on fetching water, thus missing earning opportunities.
"Ahead of the dry season, we are already facing water crisis. We spend four hours going up and down the river just to fetch water. It is hard to imagine what the situation would be like when the dry season arrives," lamented she.
As the government remains apathetic about ensuring safe drinking water to a large segment of the population, locals of many remote areas have been forced to face hardships due to water shortage every year.
"The river water is dirty but we have no other option," said Dhanbir Dhami, a teacher.
"Some locals have purchased water tanks to store water to brave the crisis. But everyone cannot to buy the tank water," added he.
Locals also complained that they are also struggling to provide water to the animals the raise. "I fear the possibility of a disease outbreak as locals have been drinking dirty river water for weeks now," said Dhami.
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