Drinking Water Supply: DDM Plans To Donate Water To Scarcity Areas

Some villages in Nyaung-U and Nato Gyi townships of Mandalay Region and Nat Mauk Township in Magway Region face annually scarcity of drinking water in summer.

Although some villages dig wells for drinking water, the water resource in these areas is salty. So, the locals face difficulty to get fresh water for drinking.

The residents in these areas have to take drinking water by foot or bullock carts. Nyaung Bin village is 20-mile from Nahto Gyi Township. There are 310 households with 1,800 population. In this village, the locals dig hand-scooped water holes (temporary wells) to solve the problems on availability of drinking water in summer.

Resident, Nyaung Bin village, Nato Gyi Township, Hsan Win said “We dig about 35 to 40 water holes (temporary wells) around the village to get drinking water in summer. After using about 3 months, the temporary wells run dry and we find another place for water resource. In the rainy season, we get water for personal use because there are lakes near the village. But, we face difficulty in drinking water and we go to other place to take it. I’m pleased to see distribution of drinking water to the locals here.”

Kyauk Kan village in Nyaung U Township has a lake to get water for household uses. This year, the residents in this village face shortage of water because the amount of rainfall is less and they buy drinking water from nearby villages.

Resident, Kyauk Kan village, Nyaung-U Township, Hla Soe said “The water flows into the lake only when the rainy season falls. There left a few water in the lake at the end of December. We have to find donors for drinking water in the village.”

Resident, Taw Ywa village, Nyaung-U Township, Ye Nyunt said “Now, artesian wells are dug in the village and we have water for household purposes and animal use. We have still difficulty in drinking water. We have to buy drinking water from nearby villages.” 

The Department of Disaster Management in Nyaung U Township has a plan to solve the problems on water scarcity in the villages in coming summer, according to the official from Nyaung-U District Disaster Management  Department.

Assistant Director, Department of Disaster Management (Nyaung-U District), Hsan Mya Lwin said “Depending on the population, we donate water to the villages by vehicles that can capacitate 1,600 or 3,200 gallons with the help of social organizations or the Fire Services Department. In coming summer, we will donate water systematically to the water shortage villages by collecting the lists in cooperation with philanthropic organizations and governmental organizations.”

The Department of Disaster Management under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has undertaken supply of drinking water and construction of water wells, lakes, tanks and water purifying buildings for water scarcity villages since 2016.