KATHMANDU, June 27: In the past two years, drinking water from Melamchi could not be supplied to Kathmandu during the monsoon season, but this year, preparations are underway to bring water from Melamchi to Kathmandu even during the rainy season. Unless there is a situation where the headworks of the project is damaged due to heavy rainfall, the water is going to be supplied regularly even if it is raining.
According to the Melamchi Water Supply Development Board (MWSDB), due to the use of a technology that can predict floods and open and close the doors depending on the situation, the board plans to supply water regularly even in the rainy season this year.
Rajendra Prasad Pant, information officer of the board, said that all the doors have been closed and opened using hydro-mechanical equipment. He said that the gates can be operated automatically, without the need for human presence, as long as the water remains clear. Information officer Pant further added, "Appropriate measures have been implemented to halt the water flow in case of turbidity."
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He said that the water diversion could be carried out on a regular basis during normal rainfall. However, in the event of a significant flood with debris, such as flowing stones, it would be necessary to completely close the gates.
"The board is currently in a wait-and-watch situation regarding the water supply. The water flow will be maintained unless there is significant damage, with the gate being closed in advance in case of heavy rainfall or potential flooding," explained Information Officer Pant.
Pant emphasized that although there is no predetermined schedule for closure as there was last year, any closure due to flooding would likely be brief. In such cases, the gate can be opened and closed intermittently, but doing so has a higher risk of sand entering the tunnel. Eventually, the water distribution would need to be halted to clean the tunnel, which is why utmost caution is being exercised.
According to Pant, regular maintenance and inspection of the tunnel is being done. He added that even if it is closed for some time, there will be no problem to resume water supply even in the rainy season.
According to the board, the level of the Melamchi river has only increased nominally, and there will be no problem in regularly sending water to the tunnel. He said that if there is a big flood like the one that happened on June 15, 2021, then the tunnel might have to be closed. The tunnel will be closed for a long time only if there is a flood that damages the structure itself.
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