Drying Hills, Growing Water Crisis

The hills receive abundant rainfall, yet severe water shortages emerge during the dry season. For many families living in Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Bandarban, collecting safe drinking water remains a major daily challenge. Deforestation, irregular rainfall, drying natural streams and increasing pressure on existing water sources are making the crisis more complex. Recent research and news reports have highlighted the growing problem.

Every year, thousands of visitors travel to Khagrachhari, Sajek, Rangamati and Bandarban to experience the beauty of Bangladesh's hill country. Lush green hills, winding roads and flowing streams captivate tourists. But behind these picturesque landscapes lies a different reality. Residents of many remote communities must travel long distances every day to collect water. Some streams dry up, some wells run empty, while water available from other sources may not be safe to drink.

During a recent visit to the hill settlements of Khagrachhari, the contrast was striking. Rainwater rushes rapidly down the steep slopes, yet without adequate systems to retain it, meeting local water needs becomes increasingly difficult during the dry months.

What Does Recent Research Reveal?

A study published in the journal Discover Sustainability on June 6, 2026, examined water, sanitation, livelihoods and climate-related risks in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Titled Circular Economy and Nature-Based Solutions for WASH Resilience in Bangladesh's Hill Tracts, the research explored the challenges facing remote hill communities.

The study examined four remote villages in Dighinala Upazila of Khagrachhari: Chakbachhara, Betchhari, Pakhijachhari and Dighinala.

One of its significant findings was that 60 percent of surveyed households experienced seasonal water shortages. During the dry season, 72 percent reported high or extreme water stress. More than one-third of households were classified as experiencing severe hardship because of multiple challenges related to the time and distance required to collect water, as well as sanitation problems.

These findings highlight the vulnerability of communities whose access to safe water depends heavily on seasonal rainfall and local natural resources.

Why Are the Streams of Khagrachhari So Important?

Streams, small waterfalls and natural springs are not merely features of the hill landscape. They are essential sources of water for many local families.

Unlike the plains, remote hill settlements are difficult to connect to extensive piped water networks. The rocky terrain also makes the installation of deep tube wells challenging in many locations.

A Mongabay investigative report published in August 2025 highlighted an initiative in Pithachhara Forest in Matiranga, Khagrachhari, where small water reservoirs were created to help maintain natural stream flows. The initiative aims to retain rainwater and allow it to gradually infiltrate the ground, helping sustain streams during the dry season.

The report also cited findings from a 2024 water-resource survey conducted by the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) for the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board. According to the survey, 15 percent of streams in Khagrachhari that had flowed throughout the year several decades ago were completely dry during summer. The corresponding figures for Rangamati and Bandarban were 22 percent and 20 percent, respectively, for streams classified as seasonal.

The figures point to a worrying change in the availability of water across the region.

Why Does the Crisis Intensify During Winter and the Dry Season?

Although the hills receive heavy rainfall during the monsoon, much of the water quickly runs down steep slopes. When the soil cannot retain enough moisture and natural water sources are damaged, monsoon rainfall may not provide sufficient reserves for the following months.

A review study published in the journal Hydrology in September 2026 examined the relationships between surface water, groundwater and rainfall in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It highlighted several scientific and environmental challenges to sustainable water management, including steep slopes, complex geological formations, rapid runoff and inadequate monitoring systems.

The study also underlined an important point: abundant rainfall during the monsoon does not necessarily guarantee sufficient water during the dry season. The amount of rainwater that infiltrates the soil, remains stored underground or continues to flow through streams and channels plays a crucial role in determining water availability.

Deforestation, changes in land use, unplanned development, commercial plantations and growing water demand at some tourist destinations may also contribute to the problem. However, the causes and severity of water shortages vary from one location to another.

Recent News Reports Highlight the Growing Water Crisis

Research findings are reinforced by reports published in Bangladeshi media about water shortages in the hill districts.

On April 21, 2026, an English-language newspaper reported that residents of remote areas of Rangamati were facing long waits and difficult journeys to obtain water. More than 50 families in the Joint Farm area of Sapchhari, under Rangamati Sadar Upazila, depended on water supplied through pipes from a small stream. When the stream dried up, collecting water became increasingly difficult.

The Roads and Highways Department supplied 5,000 litres of water to the area, but residents said the assistance was insufficient to meet their needs.

An earlier investigative report, published on June 15, 2026, documented the hardship faced by residents of Alutila Hill in Matiranga, Khagrachhari. According to the report, Kusumlata Tripura had to travel at least three kilometres every morning to collect water for her seven-member family. She often had to make multiple trips a day.

The same report stated that approximately 40 percent of Khagrachhari's residents faced water shortages during the dry season.

An important lesson from these reports is that water scarcity is about more than a lack of drinking water. The time spent collecting water affects children's education, women's daily responsibilities, household income and agricultural activities. Because women frequently bear a disproportionate share of water collection duties, the social burden of the crisis is also unevenly distributed.

Tourism Is Growing, but What About Water Security for Local Residents?

Tourism in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has expanded, bringing more resorts, tourist facilities and commercial establishments. While tourism creates employment and income opportunities for local communities, increased demand can put additional pressure on already vulnerable water sources.

An investigation into several tourist destinations in Bandarban described the use of submersible pumps and pipelines to extract water. The report also compared estimated daily water consumption of around 40 litres for a hill household with approximately 400 litres at a resort.

These figures should not be interpreted as averages applicable to every household or resort. Nevertheless, the comparison raises important questions about differences in water consumption and access.

Tourism development and the right of local communities to access safe water do not have to be competing priorities. Before approving new tourist facilities, authorities should assess the capacity of local water sources, monitor groundwater extraction, encourage rainwater harvesting and prioritise the basic water needs of residents.

Sustainable tourism must take into account the environmental limits of the places it promotes.

What Can Be Done to Address the Crisis?

Addressing water scarcity in the hills requires more than installing tube wells or sending emergency water tankers. Long-term solutions must reflect the region's distinctive geography, geology and natural water systems.

First, rainwater harvesting: Rainwater collected from rooftops and suitable surfaces during the monsoon can be stored in large tanks or community reservoirs. Appropriate treatment must be ensured before the water is used for drinking.

Second, protecting streams and forests: Conserving forest cover, natural springs and stream catchment areas is essential. Restoring native vegetation and reducing soil erosion can help improve the landscape's ability to retain water.

Third, developing water systems suited to local terrain: Deep tube wells are not suitable for every hill settlement. Depending on local conditions, communities may benefit more from shared storage tanks, gravity-fed water supply systems, rainwater harvesting or a combination of small reservoirs and other infrastructure.

Fourth, collecting and publishing reliable data: Authorities need regular information on which streams dry up and when, where groundwater levels are declining, how many households lack safe water and how much water tourist facilities consume.

Fifth, involving local communities: Water-management plans should incorporate residents' experience and knowledge, particularly the views of women and other community members directly involved in collecting water.

Without community participation, even well-funded infrastructure projects may fail to address the most urgent needs.

Action Is Needed Before the Crisis Deepens

Solving water scarcity in the Chittagong Hill Tracts requires investment in infrastructure, protection of natural water systems and fair distribution of available resources. When large volumes of monsoon rainfall are allowed to drain away without adequate storage or infiltration, shortages during the dry season become increasingly difficult to prevent.

The hills, streams and forests of Khagrachhari are among Bangladesh's important natural assets. Preserving their appeal for tourism is important, but ensuring the right of people who live there to access safe and reliable water is equally essential.

As winter approaches and the dry season draws nearer, the question is no longer simply how to preserve the beauty of the hills. It is also how to ensure that the people who call these hills home have enough water to live safely and with dignity.