Kulgam, July 26: Department of Jal Shakti has only two water tankers available to address the drinking water shortage in several villages during the ongoing heat wave and dry spell.
Several villages in Kulgam’s Damhal Hanjipora region, including Asnoor, Korel, Manzgam, H.M. Guri, Durhama, Galwanpora, Check-I-Watoo, Drangbal, Humpathri and others, are experiencing acute drinking water shortages.
The situation is creating significant hardships for residents as they struggle to obtain this essential resource amid the hot weather.
Afshan Jan, a resident of Manzgam, told Rising Kashmir that they have been facing water shortages for a long time and are increasingly frustrated with the situation.
She pointed out that the shortage is somewhat man-made, as many households use boosters and motors, leaving others with little or no water supply.
“The Department should conduct drives against this illegal usage and ensure all residents receive their due supply,” she added.
Shafat Ahmad, a local of Asnoor said that their village is facing the scarcity of water.
Subzar Ahmad, a local from Durhama, stated that his village, which has over 100 households, suffers from an insufficient water supply, causing significant hardships.
Ahmad said that they haven’t seen tanker services, which could have at least helped them obtain some drinking water.
Similarly people of Humpathri are facing the scarcity of water while the tankers hardly reach.
Nawaz Ahmad, Executive Engineer, told Rising Kashmir that the past month has seen a dry spell with low precipitation, resulting in a shortage of drinking water in about 10-13 villages.
He said that they have two water tankers in possession. Although the tankers provide some water, it is significantly less than what is supplied through pipes.
Ahmad said that the availability of tankers depends on the number of water-stressed areas, and Kulgam has relatively few such villages.
“We are considering adding another tanker and increasing the trips of the existing tankers to these areas to better cater to the needs of all residents,” he added.
