As water sources in many places have already dried up, as many as 60 households are forced to share a single water source.Ramita Rai, a local of Chintang VDC-1, wakes up early in the morning and rushes to fill her vessel. "If I reach there late, it will take hours before I get a chance to fill water. There is always a long queue of people," she said.
Similarly, Manoj Rai of Ankhisalla-3 wakes up at 3 am and walks for 30 minutes to reach the nearest water source. "I have to sacrifice my sleep to fill water. If I did not reach there early, I may not be able to fill water," he said.
Although Dhankuta is better than other districts in terms of public infrastructures, the locals have not been able to solve water crisis. According to the District Development Committee (DDC), Kuruletenupa, Bodhe, Phaksib, Budi Morang, Chhintang, Khoku, Ankhisalla, Teila, Muga, Phalate, Belhara, Leguwa, Ghortikharka, and Ahale VDCs are facing acute water crisis.
"The shortage of drinking water has forced many people to migrate to other places. Over one dozen water sources here have already dried up," said Ranga Lal Rai, a local of Belhara. Ram Kumar Dangol, VDC secretary of Kuruletenupa, said that some village have seen drastic decline in population due to increased migration.
A total of Rs 406.2 million has been allocated for drinking water projects in the district. Local Development Officer Ganesh Prasad Dahal said that the DDC has taken initiatives to conserve water sources, encourage reforestation, among others.
However, the programs have done little to improve the situation as they have not been implemented effectively.
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