Melamchi Water Project: Reservoir Closed Again Amid Rainy Season Fears, Sustainable Solution Still Distant
Image source, MWSDB
The Melamchi Water Supply Development Board announced that water delivery through the tunnel to Kathmandu has been suspended “for some time” due to increased turbidity in the Melamchi River and damage to temporary structures caused by recent heavy rains on Thursday.
Severe floods and rapid flows on Asar 1 and Shrawan 16, 2078 B.S. caused extensive damage to the intake structure—the main ‘headworks’—of the Melamchi Water Supply Project. Consequently, the annual rainy season shutdowns of the Melamchi water supply system have become a recurring pattern.
Although this vital project, which supports millions of residents in the Kathmandu Valley, is now temporarily closed, the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has confirmed alternative water supply arrangements are being implemented to alleviate inconvenience.
However, previous promises to fully address the water shortage have not been fulfilled, causing considerable hardship among consumers.
How Long Will the Shutdown Last This Time?
Image source, MWSDP
“On Thursday, turbidity in Melamchi River increased and damage was detected on temporary dams there. Therefore, it became necessary to halt water supply immediately,” stated Lakshmiprasad Upadhyay, Executive Director of the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board.
No timeline has yet been determined for the duration of the closure.
This year, water transmission through the tunnel was planned to be stopped based on current monsoon conditions.
Last year, an alternative arrangement was made using water from the nearby River Rebarma, but similar arrangements will not be made this year, Upadhyay added.
“Internal tunnel cleaning and necessary inspections remain pending. We plan to commence these activities during this year’s closure,” he explained.
Officials say cleaning and inspection will proceed once the board’s parent organization approves the plan.
Alternative Arrangements
Image source, MWSDP
The sudden shutdown of Melamchi water supply—usually providing 170 million liters daily—to Kathmandu impacts consumers significantly.
KUKL officials have stated that alternative sources inside the valley will be maximized to mitigate the effects.
“Previously, daily supply included 170 million liters from Melamchi and approximately 70-80 million liters from internal sources. During the monsoon, internal sources can provide 220-230 million liters, so we will strive to limit the impact,” said KUKL spokesperson Prakash Kumar Rai.
“Water can also be supplied from Mahadevkhola in Bhaktapur, Devaki, Basuki, and Nallu in Lalitpur, as well as Sheshnarayan near Pharping,” he added.
When Will a Sustainable Solution Arrive?
Many governments have pledged to resolve Kathmandu’s long-term water shortage by supplementing Melamchi’s daily 170 million liters with an additional 170 million liters from nearby Yangri and Larke rivers.
However, the devastating floods of 2078 B.S. have hindered consistent year-round availability of even the original Melamchi supply.
“A new headwork about 900 meters from the damaged site is under study and design,” Upadhyay said.
According to Madhu Timilsina, Information Officer for the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board, the design phase is expected to complete by September, after which construction should commence.
Even with construction underway, the current situation may persist for two to four more years.
Geology Professor Ranjan Dahal explained that the delays are understandable given the area’s geological complexities.
“I’ve inspected the site; a significant nearby landslide has created muddy conditions. For safety, the new headwork must be located elsewhere,” he said.
An expert added that the new design plans include constructing an underground structure where only the headwork entrance is visible, addressing previous vulnerabilities.
Key Dates Related to the Melamchi Project
Though construction began in Falgun 2077 B.S., it took nearly 22 years for Melamchi water to reach Kathmandu. The project has faced many ups and downs. Some significant milestones include:
- 2029 B.S.: Initial studies for identifying water sources
- 2041 B.S.: Identification of 22 options including Melamchi
- 2049 B.S.: Melamchi plan deemed technically and economically best for delivering 510 million liters daily by merging Yangri and Larke
- 2055 B.S.: Formation and operations of Melamchi Water Supply Development Board
- 2064 B.S.: Restructuring agreement between Nepal Government and Asian Development Bank with a six-year deadline; project split into main transmission under the board and distribution under KUKL
- Falgun 22, 2077 B.S.: Melamchi water reaches Sundarijal
- Chaitra 15, 2077 B.S.: Water testing and distribution begins in the valley
- Chaitra 20, 2077 B.S.: Official inauguration by the President
- Asar 1, 2078 B.S.: Major flood damage
- Shrawan 16, 2078 B.S.: Further damage caused by floods in Gegaran and Ledo
Since then, the tunnel water supply shutdown during the monsoon has become customary, with new headwork design and studies underway.
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