Ganderbal, May 21: The village of Saloora in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district is grappling with a severe water crisis, leaving paddy farmers in deep distress as fields are drying up under an unrelenting heatwave and a prolonged dry spell.
Farmers across Saloora and adjoining areas like Arhama and Tulmulla say their irrigation canals have run dry, and with no significant rainfall in sight, their paddy saplings are beginning to wither — threatening their primary source of livelihood. Cracks are appearing in the soil, and residents fear an impending drought.
“Our fields are cracking, and the crops are dying. If this continues, we will face starvation,” said a local farmer from Saloora, voicing the growing concerns of the agrarian community.
AEE Irrigation Ganderbal, S.A. Qadri, told Rising Kashmir that efforts are being made to address the issue.
“We are aware of the crisis. The main irrigation canal had a blockage which we have cleaned. A 6-inch pipe laid by R&B has been laid ahead of a 1.5-foot-wide section, and smaller pipes downstream distribute water to various fields. However, disputes among locals over water usage have further complicated the supply,” Qadri said.
He assured that the department is trying its best to restore irrigation and ensure water reaches the farmers in time to save the crops.
