Seven wards in Rukumkot VDC in the district of Rukum are facing water shortage for the last four years.

After the only drinking water project broke down, nearly 900 families living in wards 1,2,3,5,6,7 and 9 have been getting limited supply of water from their local taps.

The Ghadaruchaur Drinking Water Project was constructed 28 years ago at Rukumkot-9.

Population growth over the years has also exacerbated the water shortage

“The project is in a dilapidated state. There has been no upgradation, no maintenance since the project was built,”  said Sudhan Regmi, chairman of Rukumkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Whereas a single tap was dedicated to four families in the past, local resident Basanta Kumar Shrestha said, these days the water supplied by a single tap is being used by up to 16 families.

“We have to fetch water from Luspa Dhara and Kamal Taal to fulfil our daily consumption,” he said.

To address the water shortage, Rukumkot Drinking Water Consumers’ Committee is planning to construct another water project at Kuchiwang settlement in Rukumkot-4.