Nearly 3 thousand people in Sui Pau village of Lohaghat block, Champawat, are facing a drinking-water crisis after regular supply from the Sui lift drinking-water scheme became unreliable. Residents say the disruption has continued for the past 15 days.

Water now reaches household taps for only 25 to 30 minutes when supply is available. Residents reported that water flowed for 25 minutes on Monday, while no water arrived on Tuesday. The shortage has forced women, schoolchildren and older people to collect water from natural sources.

Residents warn of protest

Local residents said the shortage is affecting household work and creating particular difficulties during the cold weather. Basanti Devi said villagers have been struggling to secure water for 15 days. Geeta Devi said schoolchildren and older people were being compelled to fetch water from local streams and springs.

Women, including Janaki Devi and Sunita Devi, have warned that residents could surround the Jal Sansthan office if the supply is not restored. The village has no hand pump, adding to the difficulty faced by households dependent on the scheme.

The Sui lift drinking-water scheme previously supplied around 5 thousand people. It now serves Pau, Chamanpur, Galchaura, Chhamaniya, Chankande, Satkhal and Dungri. Residents say most natural water sources in these areas dried up years ago, leaving them with limited alternatives.

Household connections remain incomplete

The Har Ghar Jal, Har Ghar Nal programme has also not delivered household connections in Sui Pau gram panchayat. The Jal Sansthan has laid the main pipeline, but connections have not yet reached homes.

Residents have asked the department to issue the pending connections and ensure dependable drinking-water supply. They say completing the household network is important because the existing lift scheme has not provided a stable solution.

The scheme was reorganised by the Jal Sansthan around 2 years ago in response to the drinking-water shortage. However, residents say the reorganisation did not resolve the problem permanently.

Department orders local inspection

R.P. Dobhal, executive engineer of the Jal Sansthan in Champawat, said no complaint about the Sui lift drinking-water scheme had reached him. He said the local junior engineer had been instructed to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

The immediate issue for residents is whether the inspection will lead to restored supply. Until then, families in Sui Pau and the other areas served by the scheme continue to depend on short and irregular tap deliveries or natural sources.

Conclusion

Sui Pau’s drinking-water crisis has continued for 15 days despite the scheme’s reorganisation around 2 years ago. Residents are seeking prompt inspection, reliable supply and completion of household connections under the Har Ghar Jal, Har Ghar Nal programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long has Sui Pau faced the water shortage?

The shortage has continued for 15 days.

Q. How long does water currently reach the taps?

Residents say supply lasts for 25 to 30 minutes when it arrives.

Q. Which areas does the Sui lift drinking-water scheme serve?

It serves Pau, Chamanpur, Galchaura, Chhamaniya, Chankande, Satkhal and Dungri.

Q. What has the Jal Sansthan ordered?

Executive engineer R.P. Dobhal said the local junior engineer was instructed to investigate and take appropriate action.

Q. Are household connections complete under the Har Ghar Jal, Har Ghar Nal programme?

No. The main pipeline has been laid, but household connections have not yet reached homes in Sui Pau gram panchayat.