PHE dept’s main water pipeline for Namchi swept away by landslide

NAMO DIXIT

NAMCHI, : The public of Namchi area are likely to face acute water scarcity in the upcoming weeks as the main water transporting network fo PHE department was swept away last night at Ravangla Bypass by landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.

This is second time that this trunk main has been swept away by landslide in the area. A PHE engineer said the condition is worse than before.

In June 2021, the same trunk main was swept away by landslide, and entire town had to survive on water provided by the PHE department through trucks and tankers for more than a month.

The PHE assistant engineer for Namchi subdivision, Sonam Karthak, blamed the negligence on the part of NHDCIL and Nagen Company who are constructing national highway and tunnels along the pipelines.

“This year too, the weak landform was caught by landslide due to negligence of same company during hill-cutting,” the AE said. The PHE department informed that manpower has already been put to work to reconnect the pipelines so that at least a minimum amount of water can be provided to the public of Namchi.

However, the connection through perennial sources of water prepared by PHE department earlier will not be able to support the requirement of the town due to lack of water in those sources owing to late monsoon this year, the assistant engineer further informed. Although, he promised minimum restoration of water in PHE in next 3-4 days, the continuous rainfall and the heavy fog may affect the restoration of pipelines.