In 2023, millions of Nepali people are still deprived of basic water and sanitation facilities. The scenario is even worse in underdeveloped regions of Sudurpaschim and Karnali.

A hope filled project begun in 1972 to connect Kathmandu with Melamchi’s water was damaged by the flood and landslide resulting from the melting of glaciers. Unaccountability to climate change risks destroyed a decades-long water supply project to supply clean piped water to Kathmandu. Currently, the Government of Nepal is executing a ‘water plan’ which is expected to be achieved in the year 2027. The plan has sought to improve the basic level of water supply of 50 percent of the Nepalese population by the year 2027. Nepal has also received a $80 million grant from the World Bank in order to improve the water supply system in the country, the money will be used in improving water supply in the most neglected regions of Nepal :Karnali and Sudurpaschim. However, such projects cannot ignore what the future holds for Nepal with the ongoing climate change phenomena.

A recent 2021 study, ‘Drinking water status in Nepal: an overview in the context of climate change’, reveals the threats posed by climate change to Nepal’s water and sanitation facilities. According to the study, although Nepal has increased facility type, non piped water from 36 percent in the year 2000 to 44 percent in 2017, safely managed water supply sources have been decreasing from 24 percent to 18 percent. Adding evidence to the research’s findings, nearly all urban water supply services in major cities of Nepal need substantive improvements. The current urban water supply system is unable to cater to the needs of municipal uses of water, such as water for fire fighting, street cleaning, city greeneries, recreation, public drinking and washing facilities. This has to do with the weak financial condition of the Ministry of Urban Development in Nepal.

The recent report produced by the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management (DWSSM), shows that merely 51.69% of the population have piped water coverage and the remaining 48.31% are relying on un-piped locally and privately managed water supply mechanisms. However, the overall country scenario misses the existent regional disparity in Nepal in regards to execution of water supply and sanitation projects.