Water crisis deepens in Kumaon region
Champawat/Pithoragarh: Effects of one of the driest winter spells in Uttarakhand have begun to take its toll on the natural water bodies of the region. Residents of various villages and towns in the Kumaon region are worried that the natural resources that supply them drinking water are drying up due to a dry winter this year. They are facing an acute shortage of water these days.
“It has become difficult to supply drinking water to all wards in Champawat town and adjoining villages on a daily basis as the natural resources are drying up rapidly. The region has not witnessed rain for the last eight months,” said PC Kargeti, Executive Engineer of Jal Sansthan, Champawat.
The water crisis in Pulhindola town of Lohaghat subdivision in Champawat district is deepening as four of the five hand pumps in the town have gone dry. The residents are sourcing drinking water from a waterfall situated 4 km from the town.
The drinking water supply to Champawat town has been restricted to one hour daily at present and the Sansthan officials are mulling further curtailment of supply to alternate days as the four natural water resources that cater to the needs of the town are generating less water. “Against the daily need of 1.1 MLD of water for the town, we are able to supply only 0.50 MLD of water. The supply may reduce further if the natural resources remain dry in future as well,” said Kargeti.
In Pithoragarh town, the drinking water shortage has emerged as the water level in the Kashni tank of the Jal Sansthan has fallen due to no rain in the basin area of the Thuligar river where the tank has been constructed.
