Despite frequent warnings by experts about the risk of land subsidence due to uncontrolled extraction of underground water, authorities have failed to check the practice.

Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL), the utility responsible for the distribution of potable water in the Valley, alone pumps around 60 million litres of groundwater each day — 60 percent of water it distributes.

Star hotels and business complexes are also largely dependent on underground water, with the extent of their exploiting the source soaring each new day. Ground Water Resource Management Board (GWMB) estimates groundwater extraction to be two million litres daily. At the rate, 23 million cubic metres of groundwater is pumped out in Kathmandu valley annually, while only 14 million cm is recharged in the period, said Gopal Sigdel, water expert at the irrigation ministry.

“This difference in water consumed and that replenished is sure to cause land subsidence in the Valley soon. Unfortunately, policymakers seem indifferent to the risk,” he said. “There is no policy on monitoring and controlling it,” said Pramod Raj Sharma, GWRB director. “We are planning to draft a policy together with the KUKL and Water and Energy Commission.”

Sharma said underground water is depleting by two-and-a-half meters every year in the Valley. “We are aware of the threat but can do nothing without a policy in place,” he clarified.

Engineer Ishwor Raj Onta said haphazard pumping out of water should be checked before it is too late. “If the present trend continues, we’ll face the problem of sinking land in a matter of few years.” Experts have urged the government to allocate space to dig ponds for recharging groundwater at a time when fertile land here is fast turning into a concrete jungle.

For example, Mexico City is sinking since much water has been pumped out from the aquifer beneath it to satisfy 18 million residents in the metropolitan area. Some areas, such as the central metropolitan region, have fallen as much as 8.5 meters, causing damage to many buildings and ancient monuments that are located in these sections.

courtesy:The Kathmandu Post