Melamchi Water Supply Project Shuts Down Main Tunnel Due to Monsoon Flood Risk

The Melamchi Water Supply Development Board (MWSDB) has announced the temporary closure of the main tunnel of the Melamchi Water Supply Project, effective from Friday. This decision comes as the monsoon season intensifies in Bagmati Province, posing a heightened risk of flooding in the Melamchi River.

The main tunnel, crucial for ferrying water from the Melamchi River to the treatment plant in Sundarijal, Ambathan, Sindhupalchok, will remain inactive until the end of the monsoon season. Ratna Lamichhane, executive director of MWSDB, emphasized that this precautionary measure aims to safeguard the project infrastructure from potential damage caused by monsoon-induced disasters.

“We anticipate resuming water supply from the Melamchi River only after the monsoon season concludes,” Lamichhane stated. This practice has been in place since 2002 to mitigate risks to the project’s headworks during the rainy season.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reported the onset of active monsoon conditions in Nepal from June 10, with the season typically ending in early October. Increased rainfall in the Melamchi Valley has led to higher water levels in the river, elevating the risk of flooding and necessitating the closure of the project.

Lamichhane further explained, “Closing the tunnel during the monsoon prevents silt from entering and potentially damaging the tunnel and the water distribution system.” This precaution follows significant damage to the project’s headworks in 2021 due to flooding, prompting consideration of relocating the headworks upstream.

During the shutdown period, the board announced that the Dhap dam will supply 40 million liters of water daily to meet the valley’s needs until regular water supply resumes from the Melamchi tunnel.

The MWSDB reassures residents of the Kathmandu Valley that measures are in place to minimize inconvenience and ensure continuous water supply during this temporary closure of the Melamchi Water Supply Project’s main tunnel.