Gangtok water crisis Day 4: Fire tenders distribute water

REPORTED BY PRAKASH ADHIKARI

Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim which is also a tourist hot spot, and the adjoining areas of Deurali, Tadong, and Ranipul have been reeling under a severe water crisis. Today is day four of residents and tourists having to live without water. Such is the situation that fire tenders have been pressed into service to distribute water.

Long queues were seen at mobile water distribution points as people waited for their turn to fill their buckets and bottles.

Speaking to Northeast Live, one of the affected persons said, “From the last 3-4 days we are facing problem. We are managing by collecting water from here and there. I bought a 5 litre jar to collect water, but this will not be enough for me. We will look to manage with whatever is available.”

The hoteliers too are facing the brunt of the water shortage. One of the hoteliers told Northeast Live, “There is lot of water problem. From the past 4-5 days there is no water. We have hired water services based in other areas. Our staff goes there to collect water in tanks. We cannot even close down our hotels. If we close down, then where will the tourists go?”

Meanwhile, Sandeep Malu, Councillor of MG Marg said that the government is leaving no stone unturned to resolve the crisis at the earliest.

Malu said, “Due to natural calamity, abrupt flow of water led to a landslide which damaged the pipeline. Because of this from the evening since day before yesterday, there has been no supply of water. Everyone in the PHED (Public Health and Engineering Department) are working tirelessly to fix the pipeline and CM has also given clear instructions to do this as soon as possible. If there is no further rainfall, than by tomorrow morning or evening the line will be fixed. Hopefully water services will be restored from day after tomorrow.”

As per inputs, on Thursday the 16.00 km stretch of water pipeline burst at 9th mile thereby washing away the main water pipelines leading to severe water shortage in and around Gangtok.