20 villages disconnected as diversion gets washed away over Nallah Mawer

Srinagar, Feb 26: At least twenty villages have been disconnected as the diversion got washed away over nallah Mawer at Batgund village of Mawer in north Kashmir’s Handwara.
As per the local resident, two years ago, a vital bridge over the nallah got damaged and was closed for vehicular movement. According to residents, the authorities made temporary arrangements for vehicular movement by developing the temporary diversion, but two weeks ago the water flow in the nallah increased resulting in the damage to the temporary diversion.
Mohammad Saleem, a local, told Rising Kashmir that since the temporary diversion was damaged, they have no choice but to take long routes to their respective destinations.
He said the five-minute journey is taking 30 minutes as people are being forced to travel long distances in the absence of the diversion.
People are now being forced to cross the nallah Mawer despite the high water flow, according to Shanoo resident, Sajad Ahmad.
“We have requested the concerned department make alternative arrangements until the bridges get completed; however, their pleas fell on deaf ears,” said Ahmad.
“We are concerned because schools in Kashmir will reopen after the winter break, and school vehicles will be unable to reach around 20 villages because there is no other way for them to cross the Nallah Mawer,” Ahmad added.
The locals and the parents have urged the LG to direct the concerned department to set up some pipes so vehicles can cross the nallah, which will provide relief to school-going children.
While an official from R&B Division Handwara stated that a temporary diversion had been put in place but that it had been damaged due to water flow, the officer stated that they would look for an alternate to provide relief to people.