PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) informed that a total of 1,558 water supply schemes have been affected as of August 29 due to various reasons, including landslides and cloudbursts. During the summer season, the supply volume declines due to several reasons, while the monsoon season puts challenges in the form of damages caused by heavy rain and other factors. Recently, heavy rainfall across the State has raised concerns about the extent of damage to water supply schemes.
Stating this, the secretary (Appraisal) at UJS, Maneesh Semwal stated that as of August 29, 1,558 water supply schemes across the State have been affected. The cost of repairs for these affected schemes is estimated to be Rs 31.54 crores. This figure includes 1,141 schemes in the Garhwal region and 417 in the Kumaon region. More specifically, the 1,141 schemes affected in Garhwal region included 521 in Dehradun, 188 in Uttarkashi, 183 in Tehri, 135 in Chamoli and 69 in Pauri. In the Kumaon region, out of the 417 affected schemes, 266 were in Pithoragarh, 87 in Nainital, 61 in Almora and three in Bageshwar. As per the UJS data, all 1,558 affected schemes have temporarily ceased functioning.
Semwal also said that during the monsoon season, when supply schemes are affected, temporary restoration efforts are made. “After the monsoon season concludes, the damaged water supply schemes are restored permanently, depending on the budget received,” he said.
To recall, while discussing preparations for the monsoon season, the chief general manager at UJS, DK Singh had stated that the department would stock up on temporary repair materials in advance to ensure readiness. A total of 280 kilometres of SFP pipes had been prepared for the temporary restoration of affected water supply schemes, along with approximately 200 kilometres of GI pipes for permanent restoration as per the information provided by Singh.
