MANSI BHAMBARI | Dehradun
The ongoing monsoon season has caused significant damage to water supply schemes across the State with 252 reportedly affected due to landslides, cloud bursts and other rain-related incidents. Sharing this information, the secretary (Appraisal) at Jal Sansthan, Maneesh Semwal said on Wednesday that many water supply schemes have sustained damage over the past two to three days. “The early assessment indicates that 245 out of the 252 affected schemes have already been restored with efforts underway to address the remaining seven. We hope that these will be restored soon. Every year, similar damage occurs to water supply facilities in the thick of the monsoon season. Last year, Jal Sansthan spent Rs 30 crore on restoring these water supply schemes,” he said.
He then hastened to add that the current restorations are temporary. “Permanent restoration works will take a little more time. We expect that Rs six crore will be spent this year on the permanent restoration of the water supply schemes,” he added.
Besides, the department, well before the advent of the monsoon, collects and stocks essential restoration items, including pipes and fittings. “Anticipating intensification of the monsoon rain in the coming days, we have deployed dedicated teams in each division to expedite the restoration activities for the water supply facilities. Moreover, directions and standard operating procedures (SoPs) have already been provided to the officials concerned for managing operations during the monsoon season,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention that the monsoon this year has impacted 252 water supply schemes in various districts which includes Almora (37), Bageshwar (nine), Chamoli (99), Dehradun (six), Nainital (37), Pauri (11), Pithoragarh (12), Tehri (13) and Uttarkashi (28). Out of these, 37 in Almora, nine in Bageshwar, 99 in Chamoli, six in Dehradun, 34 in Nainital, 11 in Pauri, 12 in Pithoragarh, 13 in Tehri, and 24 in Uttarkashi have already been restored with efforts being on to restore the rest.
