Clean drinking water to fight against drought in Madhesh
23 July 2025Severe drought in Madhesh has left families without water. Plan International Nepal, with local partners, has begun clean water distribution in Janakpur to support the hardest-hit communities.
Several districts across Nepal’s Madhesh Province are currently grappling with a severe drought, leading to an acute scarcity of drinking water as tube wells across many communities have dried up. According to a recent notice from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the drought has intensified over the past month, with some areas going without sufficient water for 15 days to one month, severely impacting livelihoods, health, and daily survival.
Urgent response to meet immediate needs
In response to this humanitarian crisis, Plan International Nepal, in collaboration with its implementing partner Social Development and Research Centre and in coordination with Sabaila Municipality, Janakpur commenced clean drinking water distribution today under its drought response efforts in Sabaila. On the first day, 211 households each received 60 litres of clean drinking water, prioritising families in the hardest-hit areas where water sources have entirely dried up. The distribution will continue over the next 7–10 days, with the aim of reaching around 1,000 households across two wards.
“Since the Government of Madhesh Province in Nepal has declared the province as drought-affected, the impact has been especially severe on the most vulnerable, particularly children and girls from Dalit and marginalized communities who often bear the burden of collecting water for their families,” said Ravi Shankar Pandit, Regional Manager- East, Plan International Nepal. “As part of our humanitarian commitment, we are working with local governments to ensure access to clean water, prevent health risks, and protect the dignity of affected families.”
“As part of our humanitarian commitment, we are working with local governments to ensure access to clean water, prevent health risks, and protect the dignity of affected families.”
Ravi Shankar Pandit, Regional Manager- East, Plan International Nepal
The mayor, ward chairpersons, and ward members have played a critical role in identifying the most affected households and facilitating local coordination to ensure timely and safe distribution.
“Around 90% of household tube wells have dried up, making it extremely difficult for families to access water,” said Ganga Ram, Ward Chairperson, Sabaila Municipality. “Over the past 3 days, Plan International Nepal has provided 3 water jars per household at 5 distribution points across the ward. Villagers can now access water more easily, and both the community and I are deeply grateful. A heartfelt thank you to Plan International Nepal for this vital support.”
“Around 90% of household tube wells have dried up, making it extremely difficult for families to access water.”
Ganga Ram, Ward Chairperson
Community voices and continued commitment
“Our Emergency Response Team has prioritised reaching families who have been without water for weeks,” said Anju Shakya, Sponsorship Communication Coordinator at Plan International Nepal. “This drought is taking a heavy toll on children’s health, education, and safety. We are here to support communities with life-saving water while also listening to their needs for longer-term solutions.”
“It fills me with pride and purpose to be part of this work. Seeing the joy on people’s faces as they received water was truly heartwarming and reminds me why we continue to stand alongside communities in times of need.”
“For the past month, my tube well has been dry. I had to walk 15 minutes to another well and then wait half an hour just to fill a single bucket,” shared Sanjila, a mother of a four-year-old girl. “Thanks to this water distribution, I now receive enough water at my doorstep without any struggle. This support has made life much easier.”
“Thanks to this water distribution, I now receive enough water at my doorstep without any struggle. This support has made life much easier.”
Sanjila
Similarly, Krishna Kumar, a local health worker, said, “About a month ago, the situation started to deteriorate, and it has only worsened since. Many tube wells that still function now produce just 30% of their usual volume. Supplying 60 litres per household is meeting drinking water needs and providing enough for other essential uses too.”
Plan International Nepal, through its ongoing humanitarian response commitments, remains dedicated to supporting children and families affected by climate-induced disasters, working in close collaboration with local governments and partners to strengthen community resilience in the face of Nepal’s escalating climate crisis.
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