June 2: Farmers of Bidung geog in Trashigang are facing acute water shortage both for drinking and farm work.

Farmers of Bidung geog are blessed with almost everything except road connection and more importantly water. Except for the lucky few, the majority have to make do with the little that is available.

The water taps are constructed in the center of four to five houses so that they can share what is available. Some of the farmers said without adequate water, it is difficult to maintain health and hygiene. Karma, a villager said the water problem is not new in the geog.

Even with the onset of the monsoon, farmers said the water is not enough to irrigate their fields.

Today the vast terraced fields remain dry under the scorching sun. Farmers said they are waiting for the rain.

Except for a few farmers, most have not been able to start their farm work. They said their only option is to wait for the Monsoon rain and hope and pray that it would be abundant.

The Bidung Mangmi Ugyen Tshering says the available water is also lost along the way to the field as they seep underground through the drains. He said if the open drains are cemented, then they would not face the problem.

Meanwhile, a water tank is being constructed and pipelines are being laid from Jomori to the villages. It is now nearing completion. It will benefit about 70 households. But Bidung geog has more than 400 households with a population of over 3,000 people.