Dharamsala-McLeodganj drinking water crisis deepens, supply lines disrupted due to landslides

A severe potable water crisis has gripped the smart city of Dharamsala and the Tibetan settlement McLeodganj after multiple water supply schemes were disrupted due to heavy rain that lashed the region on Saturday night causing landslides and damaging pipelines.

A spokesman for the district administration confirmed on Saturday morning that the main supply line from the Naddi water treatment plant to Dharamsala was damaged following land subsidence, affecting several distribution networks. As a result, water supply in the twin towns remained suspended on Saturday morning.

The Gajj Khadd scheme, one of the major sources of water for the city, has already been non-functional for over a month. This week, the Naddi–Bhatehad and Bhagsunag schemes were also disrupted, cutting off supply to large parts of the city. 

The localities, including Kala Pul, Ramnagar, Sham Nagar and Kotwali Bazaar, were facing acute water shortages, with many residents forced to fetch water from borewells and natural sources. In Kala Pul, taps have been dry for many days.

Former Mayors and present councillors  Devinder Jaggi and Omkar Nehria have urged the district administration to arrange tankers if normal supply could not be restored by them. 

Officials of the Jal Shakti Department maintained that heavy rains and overflowing ravines had damaged pipelines. They said two main lines had been connected to the Naddi–Bhatehad scheme, and repair work on the Bhagsunag scheme was also under way. 

Despite Dharamsala’s “smart city” status, alleged social worker Atul Bhardwaj, the situation on the ground had a different story to tell. He accused the Jal Shakti Department of failing to provide timely alternatives, saying that the supply from tube wells and temporary sources was far below the demand of the local residents.

The officials maintained that continuous rainfall was hampering restoration work and assured that efforts were underway to fully restore the damaged schemes.