Siliguri, a bustling city in North Bengal, is grappling with a severe drinking water crisis, impacting residents across all 47 municipal wards.
The source of the city’s water supply, the Teesta River, has experienced a surge in water levels due to intense rainfall in its upper catchments, leading to the deposition of silt, pebbles, and granules in the river. This influx of debris has disrupted the functioning of the Fulbari water treatment plant, the primary facility supplying potable water to the city.
According to sources within the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC), the elevated water levels in the Teesta River have resulted in the accumulation of substantial amounts of silt and debris. This accumulation has led to the clogging of the intake well at the Fulbari treatment plant, making it challenging to draw clean water for purification. To prevent damage to the plant’s infrastructure and ensure water quality, the authorities have restricted the inflow of water into the treatment facility. Consequently, the city’s water supply has been erratic, with many areas experiencing a significant reduction in service.
The average daily demand for drinking water in Siliguri is approximately 100 million litres per day (MLD). However, the Fulbari plant’s capacity is limited to supplying about 50 MLD, resulting in a shortfall even under normal conditions. The current disruption has exacerbated the situation, leaving residents to rely on alternative sources like mobile water tankers and packaged drinking water.
In response to the crisis, Mayor Gautam Deb convened a meeting to discuss remedial measures. The SMC has deployed 38 mobile water tankers to various wards and plans to procure an additional 10 tanks, each with a capacity of 3,000 litres. Furthermore, over one lakh water pouches are being distributed to residents, with assistance from the state Public Health Engineering (PHE) department. These efforts aim to alleviate the immediate water scarcity faced by the city’s populace.
The recurring nature of such water supply disruptions has prompted the SMC to explore long-term solutions. Plans are underway to construct an alternative intake well to draw water from the Teesta canal, thereby reducing dependence on the current intake point susceptible to silt accumulation. Additionally, the SMC is considering the establishment of a new drinking water project to meet the growing demand and ensure a more reliable supply.
Environmental experts have raised concerns about the broader implications of these disruptions. They point to deforestation in the Darjeeling and Sikkim hills, along with rapid urbanisation, as factors contributing to increased sedimentation in the Teesta River. These environmental changes not only affect water quality but also pose challenges to sustainable water management practices in the region.
As Siliguri continues to face these water supply challenges, the SMC’s proactive measures and future infrastructure projects will be crucial in addressing the city’s growing water needs. The situation underscores the importance of sustainable urban planning and environmental conservation to ensure the availability of clean drinking water for all residents.
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Intense Rainfall in Teesta Catchment Affects Siliguri’s Water Supply