Srinagar, July 25: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday expressed concern over the severe water shortage affecting both domestic and irrigation needs in various parts of the valley.
In a statement issued here, Dr Farooq said, “The people are desperate for water to fulfill their drinking and irrigation needs. The situation is growing increasingly dire as each day passes, yet the administration remains indifferent to their plight. The cries of the people are falling on deaf ears, and the consequences of this negligence are becoming more severe by the minute. Immediate action must be taken to address this pressing issue before it escalates further.”
The scorching weather and prolonged dry spell, the NC chief said, have sparked serious concerns regarding water scarcity and its impact on daily life. “The soaring temperatures recorded in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir paint a troubling picture. The persistent dry conditions have resulted in a significant decline in water levels across Kashmir’s water bodies, severely affecting agricultural activities,” he said.
Dr Farooq said farmers are grappling with immense challenges as irrigation sources dry up or remain dysfunctional due to a lack of necessary repairs. This could potentially lead to a decrease in agricultural yield, impacting the region’s food supply and economy, he said.
“The government’s inaction on this issue is alarming, with no steps being taken to ensure steady irrigation facilities for farmers. What is the district administration doing about this? Officers should be on the ground, actively addressing the situation. It is disappointing that no government representative has reached out to our struggling farmers,” he added.
Dr Abdullah said there is a lack of advisories being published to help them cope with the heatwave and protect their crops from the intense weather conditions. Immediate action must be taken to address these pressing issues, he said.
The former chief minister urged the people to offer special prayers for rain.
Meanwhile, a delegation headed by former MLA and Constituency In Charge of Tral, Dr Ghulam Nabi Bhat, paid a visit to the party president, Dr Farooq Abdullah at the party headquarters, Nawa-e-Subha in Srinagar. “The meeting was marked by discussions on a myriad of pressing public issues and party matters,” the party said, adding that General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar and Additional General Secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal were present on the occasion.
