Aagya Khabar
Janakpurdham
Prolonged drought and minimal rainfall have increasingly turned the central and southern plains of Nepal’s Terai region into drought-prone zones. In response, the Madhesh Province Government has initiated a plan to mitigate the worsening water crisis through the installation of deep borings—considered the only reliable source of underground water in the region.
Under the coordination of the Ministry of Energy, Irrigation, and Drinking Water, a province-wide strategy has been launched to install at least one deep boring in each ward, based on priority and necessity. According to Shesh Narayan Yadav, the ministry’s chief, immediate priority has been given to drinking water over irrigation, considering the severe and expanding water crisis across the province.
“Despite limited resources and infrastructure, we have begun installing deep borings in the most critical locations,” Minister Yadav stated. “We are analyzing demands from various wards and neighborhoods and implementing solutions step by step based on urgency and feasibility.”
The Madhesh government has officially declared the region as drought-affected, while the federal government has recognized it as a ‘crisis-affected area’ for a period of three months. In the interim, free water supply is being provided through tankers and fire engines across municipalities and rural areas.
As part of the first phase of the deep boring initiative, Ward No. 2 of Mithila Bihari Municipality in Dhanusha district—specifically the Parshuram Pond area—has been selected as a priority site. Installation work there is progressing at a rapid pace.
The implementation of these boring projects is being carried out by Underground Irrigation Offices located in Jaleshwar, Lahan, Karmeiya (Sarlahi), and Birgunj. These offices are currently operating in two districts each, within the eight districts of Madhesh Province, focusing on the installation of permanent deep borings.
The Kamala Irrigation Management Office in Portaha, Dhanusha—operating under the federal government—is also active in expanding irrigation and boring facilities. According to its chief, Birendra Yadav, several deep borings have already been installed in parts of Siraha and Dhanusha districts since the last fiscal year. “This has provided significant relief for both irrigation and drinking water,” Yadav reported.
As agricultural lands in Madhesh increasingly lie fallow and residents struggle not only for food and shelter but also for water, the deep boring initiative is seen as a critical step in addressing the crisis. However, experts emphasize that for a long-term solution, efforts must also focus on rainwater harvesting, reservoir construction, and the expansion of canal networks.
