North Mahottari parched as 90 percent wells go dry

North Mahottari parched as 90 percent wells go dry

Bardibas, March 16: Shortage of drinking water has become severe in northern settlements of Mahottari as over 90 percent water wells here are said to have dried up. Almost all water wells and hand tube-wells in Kisanpur, Bijalpura, Hattilet and Pashupatinagar of Bardibas Municipality, Belgachhi, Bharatpur, Laxminiya and Ramnagar of Gaushala Municipality and in Bhangaha  Rural Municipality have gone dry, forcing the locals to travel for hours in the search of water. 

These underground sources are only the available source of drinking water in Mahottari as in many districts in the southern plain. Some 90 per cent water wells in Manaharipur settlement of Bardibas Municipality dried this week, making normal life tougher.   

People in Krishnapur, Premnagar and Juretole these days are seen taking oxcarts in search of and to fetch water, said Gopal Karki of Manhari.

"Underground sources of drinking water in north Bardibas have started drying significantly since the past five years," said Nathuni Mahato, former chair of Pashupatinagar which has been now merged with the Bardibas Municipality.

People here feel that authorities concerned have ignored their problem.  Muna Khatri of Manharipuri said she took a debt of Rs 400 thousand to dig a well just last year, which has already dried. "I have no idea how to cope with this situation," she shared.