Locals have now blocked the source area under the Melamchi Drinking Water Project. The closure was done to demand the implementation of an agreement reached with the then Minister for Drinking Water, Pradeep Yadav, 13 months ago.

According to Rajkumar Bhandari, an affected person from Helambu, the Melamchi water being brought to Kathmandu has been completely stopped after the source was closed.

Five days ago, a local concern committee had also locked the Melamchi Drinking Water Office in Kathmandu.

The locals have also been protesting because the demands of the victims of the 2078 BS floods and landslides were not met.

After the lockout at both the Helambu source and Kathmandu, the water sent to the Melamchi tunnel has been diverted back to the river.

The water supply, which was stopped last Ashar, had started on Asho 26. However, now the supply has been stopped again.