Amid bountiful rain, Mandi grapples with water crisis

Dipender Manta

Mandi, July 6

Mandi town is grappling with an acute shortage of water as heavy rain has disrupted the water supply network. The sudden onset of the monsoon, normally a matter of relief for water-stressed regions, has brought unforeseen challenges to residents.

The town, known for its reliance on local reservoirs and natural springs, has seen the water sources being overwhelmed by the torrential rain. The main water supply scheme on Uhal river was affected three days ago due to the rise in silt at the source.

As the Jal Shakti Department struggles to restore water supply, numerous neighbourhoods across the town are going without water for prolonged periods.

Expressing concern over the water shortage, Kartik Lohia, a resident of the Bheuli area, said, “We have never seen such an acute shortage, especially during the monsoon. It’s ironic that too much rain has made us go without water.”

The current crisis has highlighted the town’s vulnerability to extreme weather and underscores the need for a robust infrastructure capable of withstanding such natural adversities.

OP Kapoor, president of Citizens Council Mandi, emphasised on the importance of sustainable water management practices in mitigating future crisis. “We must invest in modernising our water systems and improving storage facilities to cope with erratic weather patterns,” he remarked.

Jal Shakti Department Executive Engineer (XEN) Raj Kumar Saini said the water supply situation had been affected for the past three to four days due to overflow from the Barot dam.

“Approximately 3,500-4,000 cubic metres of water per second was being released, causing repeated silt accumulation in the canal trench weir. This has resulted in the clogging of the trash rack in the trench weir. It is impossible to clear the silt as of now as it requires personnel to descend into deep water,” he added. Trench weirs are commonly adopted in boulder streams for diverting water for use in hydropower, irrigation and water supply schemes.

The XEN said, “Efforts are underway to inject water from the pump house near Riyagri village. However, we are able to manage only 40 per cent of the required volume currently. Nearly 30-40 per cent of water is being drawn from the pump house at Paddal ground, though we are facing some difficulties here too.”

He said it was crucial for people to maintain patience and cooperate with the department. “If weather permits, a significant progress in stabilising the situation is expected by this evening,” he added.

Despite these measures, challenges persist as Mandi braces for more rain in the coming weeks. “As the efforts to stabilise the water supply situation and fortify the infrastructure continue, hope remains that lessons learned from this experience will pave the way for a more water-secure future for the people,” said Rakesh Kumar, a resident.