Severe Cold Creates Drinking Water Crisis in Solukhumbu

December 29, 2024
Water Crisis in Solukhumbu

The extreme cold in the Himalayan district of Solukhumbu has not only made life difficult but also caused a severe drinking water shortage. In the district headquarters of Salleri, where temperatures have dropped below freezing, water sources have frozen, disrupting daily life. On Saturday morning, the temperature in Salleri was recorded at minus 1°C, according to the Weather Measurement Center.

Nawaraj Parajuli, an employee at the center, reported that the freezing temperatures have persisted for several days, leading to frozen taps and water pipelines. Resident Niru Kumar Nepali shared that people are now depending on melted snow and ice for drinking water. “The cold has frozen most of our water sources. We have to collect ice or snow, melt it, and use it for drinking and cooking,” he said.

The lack of access to clean water has added to the struggles of the elderly, children, and people with disabilities. Schools have also been affected as the frozen pipelines make it difficult to maintain sanitation and hygiene. “Children are facing additional hardships as their studies are already disrupted by the cold, and now there is no clean water in schools,” Nepali added.

In the Khumbu region, where temperatures have plunged to as low as minus 15°C, the water crisis is even more severe. Resident Toya Kumar Shrestha reported that villagers are traveling long distances to collect water from non-frozen sources. The few remaining schools have also closed due to the combined impact of cold and water shortages.

The frozen water supply has forced many locals to leave the area temporarily. Damu Sherpa, a resident of Khumbu, shared that approximately 70% of locals and business owners have left the region to escape the harsh winter. “The lack of water and extreme cold has pushed people to move to Kathmandu or even to pilgrimage sites in India,” Sherpa said.

The severe water crisis has also impacted the tourism sector, which is vital to the region. Most hotels and lodges, which typically rely on nearby springs and pipelines, are unable to provide water to tourists. Lama Kaji Sherpa of Namche explained, “Even the remaining open hotels are struggling. Many workers have left because there is no water for basic needs.”

As locals battle the combined challenges of freezing temperatures and water shortages, daily life in Solukhumbu and surrounding areas remains increasingly difficult, with little relief in sight.

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