Ky Son: Water shortage even in the middle of the rainy season.

(Baonghean.vn) - Despite being in the middle of the rainy season, many households in Pha Danh (Ky Son) are still living in a state of water shortage. The main reasons for this situation are the severe deterioration of the public water storage tanks and pipelines, as well as the lack of awareness among the people regarding water usage.

A water reservoir in Pha Khom village is severely damaged, surrounded by overgrown vegetation.

The village of Pha Khom has two water tanks, but one has been damaged for many years, so the entire village, with nearly 10 households, shares one tank. Ms. Cut Thi Hoa, 60 years old, from Pha Khom village, said: "During the dry season, we often live in a state of water shortage, but even during the rainy season, there are many days when we don't have enough water for bathing or washing."

Previously, Pha Khom had over 30 households living around the center of the village, but due to frequent water shortages, these 30 households migrated to an area near the stream, closer to a water source. After some time, these households built water tanks in their new homes, but they were destroyed during a flood. Currently, they still rely on water from the stream for their livelihood.

Mrs. Cụt Thị Hoa washes her grandchild's face by the remaining water tank in Phà Khốm village.

It was still early morning, but many residents of Keo Luc 3 village were already bringing buckets, containers, and other water-filled vessels to the reservoir to collect water. According to Mr. Kha Bun Chan, a resident of Keo Luc 3 village, the morning is when the water is abundant but demand is low, so people take advantage of the opportunity to collect water. In the afternoon, when the students finish school, the demand increases, leading to tiring waits, and on many days, if people arrive late, there is no water available.

Water tanks left covered with tarpaulins in Keo Luc 3 village.

Located in the center of the commune, the two reservoirs in Keo Luc 3 village supply water for daily use to 79 households, the commune's People's Committee, and Pha Danh Ethnic Minority Boarding School. Therefore, water shortages during the rainy season are a frequent occurrence. Pha Danh Ethnic Minority Boarding School alone has over 200 boarding students who regularly face water scarcity.

The water tank is empty and has become a garbage dump.

The head of Keo Luc 2 village, Mr. Kha Van Bong, said that there are two water reservoirs in the village, but for many years both the water pipes and the reservoirs have deteriorated severely, so the amount of water reaching the reservoirs is negligible. Leading us along the road where the water pipes from upstream run, we saw water gushing out from cracks and breaks in the pipes at many points.

People take advantage of the early morning hours to fetch water.

According to Mr. Bong, the water pipeline leading to the village has dozens of leaks like this. The village regularly assigns people to buy rubber bands, broken inner tubes, and plastic bags to tie up the leaks, but they break again after a few days, especially during heavy rain. In addition, a water collection tank at the source is also severely dilapidated; the pipes are broken and washed away by floods, so water cannot be collected into the tank. Therefore, even during the rainy season, the people are still suffering from water shortages.

The head of Keo Luc 2 village is working to repair a broken section of pipeline, which is causing water to gush out.

Mr. Kha Van Thi, Deputy Secretary of Pha Danh commune, said that the water shortage in Pha Danh is most serious in Hoi Nhuc and Xop Nhuc hamlets in Keo Luc 1 village. Due to the lack of a public water storage system, nearly 50 households in Hoi Nhuc hamlet and 38 households in Xop Nhuc hamlet have to trek through forests and mountains every day to obtain water for daily use.

The entire Pha Danh commune has 6 self-flowing water supply systems, with a total of 30 water tanks in 10 villages. However, at this time, more than two-thirds of the water tanks have been abandoned due to the lack of water supply. In particular, for villages like Keo Luc 1, Keo Luc 2, etc., due to their distance from the water source, the people have had to invest in very expensive water pipelines. With limited local funding, the people here urgently need the attention and support of the State to overcome the water shortage.

Phu - Lan - Van