ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jul 13:The water woes seem to be compounding misery to dwellers of capital complex, who are already reeling under the flood like situation here in state capital since last few weeks.

The latest disruption was because of a damage caused to the main supply line, 450M (DI) at Poma, which was badly damaged by mudslides triggered by landslides and a flooded Poma River that washed away about 200 metres portion of the pipeline, bringing the city's water distribution system to its knees.

On the other side, 100M-150 M (GI Pipe) at Lapu Nallah was also reportedly partially damaged in 11 points and pipes were seen floating in the Senki river, which supplies water to DN collge, Polytechnic college, Police colony and Division 4 etc. However the officials of PHE department have hinted that the damaged pipelines at Mowb will be soon repaired and become operational.

Moreover, this is just the beginning of the water crisis as several sectors, including some key residential pockets like G-Sector, parts of Raj Bhawan, C-sector, ESS-sector and its adjoining areas are likely to face water shortage for more than a week.  

The worst affected would be dwellers of Naharlagun, who are already staring at an imminent water crisis due to washing away of a water infrastructure constructed above the Barapani river. Officials claimed it would take at least one month to restore regular supply of water in Naharlagun.

The city gets most of its water funnelled from Poma River, located about 4-5km in the outskirts of the main town. However, by Wednesday morning water taps in the city went dry after the PHE department was forced to shut down the key supply lines.

While water shortages are becoming something of an annual ritual in the state capital, PHE officials estimated that it would take about a month before service was fully restored. Left with no option and due to insufficient water tankers, the PHE department has hired additional 13 Tata mobiles with capacity of 2000 litres each along with existing 3 water tankers to meet the crisis.

“We have no idea about the extent of damage to the pipeline at Poma. I have deputed sufficient manpower and machinery in the area to restore the damaged water pipes,” informed Junior Engineer, PHE, Tesmi Tasom.

After getting information about the damaged pipeline at Poma, I have sent a team to assess the extent of damages, so that remedial measures can be carried out. However despite three attempts to reach the spot by foot, we are still unable to get the clear picture of damages owing to critical terrain, sludge and swollen Poma River in our way, added Tasom.

“The rough terrain along with inclement weather is slowing our movement in carrying out the restoration works. Even the roaring Poma River has changed his course and for proper verification, we have to at least cross a mountain to reach the main spot, admitted the engineer.

"Water supply can be restored fully only after damaged Poma supply is repaired completely. The repairing of the pipes is going on in full swing and it may take weeks. A team of 25 members is already at the site," the engineer further told this daily.

The JE who is overseeing the restoration work at Poma informed that two JCBs, Compression Machines and other machinery with sufficient manpower has been pressed into service and working day & night to bring normalcy. He however said that water supply through tankers will start in most of the affected areas of the capital.

Furthermore, he said that the PHE team regretted any inconvenience caused by this unexpected water cut and appealed residents to the bear with the department.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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