It has been about two years of living without a reliable supply of drinking water. The problem faced by the residents of Dechhenling-Gonpawong chiwog in Dechhenling Gewog of Pema Gatshel started after their water pump broke down. They are now asking the gewog to either repair the pump or replace it.
A shopkeeper in Bapta village, 45-year-old Pema Tshewang drives to Shingchongri for water two to three times every week.
“Water is the main problem here. We must carry it in the vehicle whether it is winter or summer. I use to transport water twice a week.”
It is Pema today and a few weeks from now, his village mates will also do the same. Their seasonal source will dry up soon after the rainy season is gone.
“We are facing difficulty without drinking water. We have to fill our containers when it is available from our nearby sources. We use to get rainwater for washing and all,” said Sonam Choden, in Bapta.
“The water problem is not the same as in the past. During the winter, when all the sources dry up, we face a shortage every time. Many people fetch water in their vehicles,” added Thukten Sherab, the Dechhenling-Gonpawoong Tshogpa.
This was not the case some two years ago. They had a water reservoir and pump constructed in 2018 by spending more than Nu 9 M. The longstanding water problem in the village was finally solved bringing respite to the 200 families. But it did not last very long. The pump broke down in 2020 leaving the chiwog dry again.
“I think that the water flagship project would also help us. But moreover, it would benefit us immediately if the wiring of the pump is changed instead of having just maintenance,” the Tshogpa added.
“When there was a water pump it benefited us in the past. We had to fetch water in our vehicle after the pump got damaged. If this gets maintained, it would benefit all the villagers here,” said Pema Tshewang, in Bapta.
According to the gewog administration, they have tried maintaining the damaged pump by bringing electricians from DCCL but couldn’t restore it. The gewog says other agencies were also approached in the last two years. The gewog is now looking for other alternatives.
“And another solution is, we have submitted a proposal for the water flagship project. We have a plan to have a budget allocation from the government and we are hopeful we can start it by next year,” said Jimba Phuntsho, the Dechhenling Gup.
With the dry season around the corner and their problem without a definite solution, villagers have to rely on barrels and jerrycans to store the water. The containers take up every available space in the house while the waterless taps lay broken and covered in bushes. They can only hope that the pump gets repaired before the water flagship programme gets through.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam