RUPANDEHI: A sharp decline in the water level of the Tinau River has disrupted operations at the Marchawar Lift Irrigation Project, raising concerns among farmers during the peak paddy planting season.

According to Rajendra Yadav, chairman of the Marchawar Lift Irrigation Water Users’ Association, prolonged dry weather has significantly reduced water levels in both the Tinau and Danav rivers, leaving insufficient water for the project’s pumps to operate effectively.

Although the irrigation system has five pumps, only three are currently in operation due to the shortage. Pump Station Manager Akram Khan said the river’s water level has fallen about 1.5 meters below the minimum design level, increasing the risk of damage to pump motors and other equipment.

Yadav suggested that constructing a five-foot check dam on the Danav River could help retain water and ensure a more reliable supply for irrigation.

The drying river has exposed sandbanks and mudflats, while cracks have appeared along parts of the riverbed. Local residents warn that continued drought could severely affect paddy production in the agriculture-dependent Marchawar region.

Residents also expressed concern that prolonged disruption of the irrigation project could worsen groundwater depletion and eventually trigger a drinking water shortage as shallow tube wells begin to dry up.