𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬

…𝗔 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗶𝗹

By Lhendup Wangmo

The residents of Jhalikhar, Bumthang, are grappling with a severe water shortage that has persisted for weeks, creating significant challenges for households and businesses alike. The scarcity has severely impacted hoteliers and restaurant owners, forcing some to temporarily close their doors. For many locals, the daily struggle to secure water from distant sources has become a new reality, disrupting lives and livelihoods across the community.

Karma Yangchen, the Municipal Incharge, pointed to outdated infrastructure and rapid population growth as the primary causes of the crisis. “The existing water pipelines are old and have been further strained due to a growing population in Jhalikhar,” she said. Adding that the system was designed to serve a much smaller population, frequent pipe bursts, exacerbated by harsh winter weather, have further complicated the situation.

Despite relentless efforts by her team to address these issues, the current infrastructure can no longer meet the community’s needs. However, there is hope on the horizon. The Small Development Project (SDP) has approved plans to replace Jhalikhar’s aging pipelines. “We are set to begin replacing the old water lines next year once the necessary funds are received,” said Karma Yangchen.

For local business owners, the water shortage has been devastating. Karma, a 58-year-old restaurant owner, expressed her frustration. “We have been without water for a week at a time. After lodging complaints, we got water for two days, and then it stopped again,” she said. Her restaurant has been forced to close multiple times, resulting in lost income. “I still have rent to pay and need to live, but without water, I can’t keep my business open,” she added.

Karma’s plight is shared by others in the community. With non-functional restrooms, restaurants and hotels are losing customers. Many business owners, including Karma, have resorted to fetching water from wells to maintain minimal operations, but this is not a sustainable solution.

Residents like Tshering Lhamo, 39, have also been profoundly affected. “We travel 2-3 kilometers just to fetch water for basic needs,” she said, describing the strain the crisis has placed on daily life. Jhalikhar village has grown significantly, increasing from 60 households to over one hundred. This growth has raised the demand for water, straining the village’s water supply, which likely was not designed to support such a large population. To address the issue, local authorities plan to develop the Lama Goenpa water source by the end of the year. The project requires every household to send a representative to support the effort. While this initiative brings hope, it also highlights the community’s desperation for a permanent solution.

Ugyen Sangay, Thromde Representative of Bumthang, acknowledged the gravity of the crisis. “By December 30, we aim to resolve the issue temporarily while working on a permanent solution by next year,” he said. Adjustments to the Dzongkhag budget are being made to prioritize the water supply issue.

Despite these promises, residents and business owners remain skeptical, given the slow pace of change and the immediate need for relief. “The town has expanded, and the old system cannot keep up. We need urgent action to ensure water security for everyone,” Tshering stressed.

The water shortage in Jhalikhar has exposed the vulnerability of outdated infrastructure in the face of growing populations and climate challenges. For residents like Tshering Lhamo and business owners like Karma, the crisis has stressed the urgent need for reliable infrastructure and timely maintenance.

As the community waits for solutions, the ongoing crisis highlights the critical importance of investment in water systems to support not only economic activities but also the dignity and well-being of the people of Jhalikhar.