Increased Water Supply from Bagmati River Offers Temporary Relief from Drinking Water Shortage During Monsoon

Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited is preparing to increase the water supply capacity from the Bagmati River to reduce water shortages experienced during the monsoon season. A plan is underway to lay a 500-millimeter diameter HDPE pipe to deliver an additional 60 million liters of water to the Sundarijal treatment plant. According to spokesperson Prakash Kumar Rai, this temporary arrangement will operate only from Ashar to Ashoj (mid-June to mid-October). Kathmandu, 16 Ashar.

Due to challenges in the Melamchi Drinking Water Project affecting supply during the monsoon season in the Kathmandu Valley, efforts are being made to augment the water distribution capacity sourced from the Bagmati River. Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) is moving forward with the installation of a 500 mm diameter HDPE pipe from the Bagmati River to the Sundarijal water treatment plant. According to the manager and spokesperson Prakash Kumar Rai, previously only a small volume of water was delivered through two pipes, but preparations are underway to expand this capacity. He noted, “This is a temporary measure and will automatically cease during the winter season.”

Spokesperson Rai also informed that water delivery will not begin until mid-Ashar (late June) this year. According to KUKL, this temporary water distribution arrangement for the valley will remain as an alternative until the regular supply from the Melamchi Drinking Water Project is fully restored. Water from the upper riparian area of the Bagmati River at Fatke will be transported via pipeline to Sundarijal. At the Melamchi water treatment plant located in Sundarijal, water from the Bagmati will also be processed and distributed throughout the valley.