Gothari Ghari village of Mathagadhi Rural Municipality-5 in the district is emptying at a faster pace for want of drinking water, a basic need for life. The village of around 500 families has been reduced to merely 200 in search of places having drinking water.

The local water sources are fast drying up, while it takes around two hours walk to reach nearby water source.

"We are struggling without drinking water for years," said 76-year-old Lal Bahadur Saru. There is only a source of water below the hillside settlement, but it is drying up, he said, adding that "it takes two hours or so on foot to reach a nearby water source. One has to spend almost half a day to fetch a pot of water."

The village is fertile for agriculture. But lack of water is posing a big challenge. "The locals are fleeing to escape the problem even when they know it. What else can you do when you do not have drinking water?" said another resident Hum Bahadur Saru. Those who can afford it have fled, while others are left behind. If the problem continues the village will bear a deserted look, said the locals.

Elections come and go, so are promises made by poll candidates who often reach doorsteps of general people only during polls. But the village fails to attract any water projects so far.

No initiatives have been taken so far in providing drinking water, said the locals.

A water tank set up below the settlement, which is need of repair, is emptying.

When asked, Chairperson of the Village Santosh Thapa said process is underway to manage infrastructures to start a drinking water project through a lifting technology.

Second phase of the process will start from the next fiscal year as the project is big and it requires big investment, he said. RSS