GANGTOK, 15 May: For almost a month now, water supply in Gangtok and surrounding areas has been frequently disrupted owing to the onset of the pre-monsoon rains combined with high velocity winds and hail stones. Three major slides - at 11.4 km, 9.2 km and 4.4 km - along the 15 kilometer stretch from the main source at Ratey Chu to the reservoir at Selep has left the Water Security & Public Health Engineering Department workforce trying hard to ensure supply at least once a day to taps in the capital.
Official sources inform that the department responded immediately to such damages and is working on a war-footing in dangerous conditions to restore water supply. Two teams of the PHE have been stationed at 4th Mile and 8th Mile respectively to respond instantly to any situation that could disrupt supply to Gangtok.
“These teams are working 24x7 in conditions which are life threatening. Restoring water pipes amidst falling boulders and incessant rains is not an easy task but still these men are working day and night to deliver water supply at least once a day to Gangtok,” stated an official of the PHE.
It is also informed that the restoration works are taking longer than usual because of the terrain has become unstable because of the 2011 earthquake. The landscape has changed drastically and the hills have become fragile making the entire restoration work process a tenuous battle against nature.
Further, heavy cracks on the rock faces along the water source give way frequently, destroying the repaired water supply lines on a daily basis. Heavy rains in the catchment area is also a serious concern for the many working at the sites.
“It is a very difficult situation for the work force to actually negotiate the terrain, repair the water pipes and see it getting destroyed with fresh spells of rains. And not only the rains, even when it is sunny, brittle rock faces give way and are creating havoc for the workers,” added the PHE official.
He went on to add that once the water supply is restored, the first priority of the PHE is to fill-up the Selep reservoir, treat the muddy water and then release it to the various other water tanks in and around the capital. He also states that the repair works cannot be carried out effectively in the dark; however the work force stationed at the two locations have done their best to maintain supply so that Gangtok receives supply at least once a day.
“The intake at the main source at Ratey Chu is being choked almost on a daily basis due to the debris of the flowing river. Moreover, the high velocity winds have uprooted trees and resulted in numerous mud slips and minor landslides which is dislocating and disturbing the raw water line of Gangtok water supply,” informs the official.
In the meantime, the department has appealed to the general public that restoration works could take some more time and that the water supply could be less than the normal quantity thus all consumers should bear with the department and use water judiciously during the monsoon season because the system is prone to be affected by natural causes during this period.
Official sources inform that the department responded immediately to such damages and is working on a war-footing in dangerous conditions to restore water supply. Two teams of the PHE have been stationed at 4th Mile and 8th Mile respectively to respond instantly to any situation that could disrupt supply to Gangtok.
“These teams are working 24x7 in conditions which are life threatening. Restoring water pipes amidst falling boulders and incessant rains is not an easy task but still these men are working day and night to deliver water supply at least once a day to Gangtok,” stated an official of the PHE.
It is also informed that the restoration works are taking longer than usual because of the terrain has become unstable because of the 2011 earthquake. The landscape has changed drastically and the hills have become fragile making the entire restoration work process a tenuous battle against nature.
Further, heavy cracks on the rock faces along the water source give way frequently, destroying the repaired water supply lines on a daily basis. Heavy rains in the catchment area is also a serious concern for the many working at the sites.
“It is a very difficult situation for the work force to actually negotiate the terrain, repair the water pipes and see it getting destroyed with fresh spells of rains. And not only the rains, even when it is sunny, brittle rock faces give way and are creating havoc for the workers,” added the PHE official.
He went on to add that once the water supply is restored, the first priority of the PHE is to fill-up the Selep reservoir, treat the muddy water and then release it to the various other water tanks in and around the capital. He also states that the repair works cannot be carried out effectively in the dark; however the work force stationed at the two locations have done their best to maintain supply so that Gangtok receives supply at least once a day.
“The intake at the main source at Ratey Chu is being choked almost on a daily basis due to the debris of the flowing river. Moreover, the high velocity winds have uprooted trees and resulted in numerous mud slips and minor landslides which is dislocating and disturbing the raw water line of Gangtok water supply,” informs the official.
In the meantime, the department has appealed to the general public that restoration works could take some more time and that the water supply could be less than the normal quantity thus all consumers should bear with the department and use water judiciously during the monsoon season because the system is prone to be affected by natural causes during this period.
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