#WaterManagement #BagmatiRiver #MelamchiWaterProject
In an effort to increase the flow of water in the Bagmati River during the time of Shivaratri, water from the Melamchi River has been diverted. This initiative aims to facilitate devotees who come to Pashupatinath for worship by providing them with a convenient place to bathe in the river and enhancing the beauty of the surroundings.
According to Ratna Lamichhane, the Executive Director of the Melamchi Drinking Water Development Committee, approximately one thousand liters of Melamchi water are being discharged into the Bagmati River per second. He mentioned that despite previously releasing 500 liters per second at other times, the current capacity has increased to 23 million liters of drinking water per day, with 20 million consumers being supplied and the remaining three million liters being discharged into the river.
This effort to augment the flow of water in the Bagmati River has been supported not only during Shivaratri but also during other festivals and on a daily basis by the Melamchi River. The plan is to release water for Shivaratri from 8 a.m. until the festival ends. The committee had to halt the project for a few months to assess and address the potential risks due to the monsoon, during which time water from the Dhap Dam was utilized to meet the water needs of consumers in Kathmandu.
Uddhav Nepal, the Deputy Director of the Bagmati River Improvement Project, stated that water from the Melamchi River has been channeled with the goal of increasing the flow of water in the river for devotees to bathe easily during important festivals like Shivaratri and Chhath. He mentioned that the water from the Dhap Dam has been released into the Bagmati River during special occasions like Shivaratri, and such practices will continue in the upcoming years.
The project was constructed with the aim of storing water during the monsoon and releasing it into the Bagmati River during dry seasons. During the monsoon, water collected here will be discharged into the Bagmati River at a rate of around 400 liters per second during dry periods.
From the perspective of Ramesh Khatri, a representative of Kansai Nepal News, this initiative to enhance water flow in the Bagmati River during festivals like Shivaratri not only serves a practical purpose but also highlights the importance of preserving and utilizing water resources efficiently for the benefit of the community.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: February 26, 2025 7:00 pm
