Residents of Bhawar in Alital Rural Municipality, Dadeldhura district, have been greatly affected by the shortage of water.

“All the water sources have already dried up. There’s an acute shortage of water especially during winter,” said Harka Bista of Dadi Koirali. “Water shortage in the lower settlements of Chure area began after authorities started to construct roads in the upper part of Chure region.”

Dharma Tarami from Daha village said, “Water sources are drying up due to the rampant deforestation in Chure. There are taps in every household, but there’s no water. Water shortage in the region has caused many families to migrate.

Similarly, Dev Singh Rokaya of Malas said that his family was forced to migrate due to the water shortage.

“We just want the authorities to permanently solve the problems of drinking water in Bhawar,” said Rokaya.

Various non-governmental organisations have been working in Bhawar area to manage the supply of water, but the locals still have to reel under the shortage of water.

According to experts, water sources in Bhawar are drying up due to climate change, population growth and encroachment.

Jograj Joshi, a technician at a drinking water office, claimed that water sources in Bhawar area have started to dry up because of manmade phenomena.

“Problems of water shortage is not only found in Bhawar area but in many mid-hill districts as well,” said Joshi.

Parichit Shrestha, senior engineer at Rural Water Resource Management Project, said, “Water recharge system of monsoon has been disturbed due to various reasons, which is why water sources have started to dry up in Bhawar areas.”