The Dalit settlement in Kausadi, situated in Sigas Rural Municipality-6, is currently grappling with a severe shortage of clean drinking water, leading to significant challenges for its residents. The 12 Dalit families residing in this area have been grappling with this issue for some time.
Local resident Bhim Nepali highlighted that the ward is consistently afflicted by a scarcity of drinking water. He remarked that they are compelled to rely on rainwater due to the lack of a reliable water supply.
Despite election promises to address this problem, there has been minimal interest in resolving the issue, according to Bhim Nepali. The water source, located approximately an hour away, does not provide sufficient water, exacerbating the community’s difficulties.
Rajendra Nepali, another local resident, pointed out that due to the absence of adequate drinking water, they are forced to drink contaminated water from water source. He lamented the scarcity of water in the local water source as well, noting that during low water levels, they are compelled to bring and consume muddy water.
The scarcity of water also disproportionately affects women in the settlement. Radha Nepali, a resident, expressed how the women responsible for fetching water have their days consumed by this task, making it challenging to care for their children.
Harish Singh Dhami, the Village Chairperson, acknowledged the drinking water predicament in Kausadi and mentioned a plan to address it within the current fiscal year. Tej Bahadur Saud, the Ward Chairperson of Sigas Rural Municipality 6, also confirmed ongoing efforts to resolve the drinking water issue.