Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar

For more than two years the residents of Pangthang Goenpa in Trashiyangtse have been struggling with an acute shortage of drinking water.

People wake up early and go to the neighbouring villages Nangkhar Goenpa and Kanjur Lhakhang to fetch water. This happens at least thrice a day.

Karma, 30, said although the village had water supply connection there was water shortage because the sources are shared with Domtshang village.

Gewog administration carried out a survey for maintenance, said Karma. “However, nothing has happened until now.”

Yeshi Zangpo, 44, said without water it was impossible to carry out daily chores at home. Hygiene is today a major problem in the village.

Villagers said they have to wake up early to fetch water because their children leave for school at 6am.

“Agencies concerned should fix the problem,” Yeshi Zangpo said.

Toetsho Gup Dechen Wangdi said that since Domtshang village in Khamdang also shared the same water sources, Khamdang gewog carried out maintenance work in the 2014-15 fiscal year as the villagers faced water shortage.

“People also fail to take up their responsibilities such as clearing of debris in the intake and pipelines,” Gup said.

Gup said the gewog administration had allocated Nu 2M for the drinking water maintenance projects in the gewog. “But we could not procure the materials because of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

There are two water sources for Pangthang Goenpa—Lakawa and Brokpa Pangthang. Both the sources are more than a kilometre away from the village.

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