Srinagar, June 23: As the intense heatwave continues to grip Kashmir, residents of various parts of Srinagar Monday complained of water shortage over the past one week leaving people to struggle.
Locals from Islam Yarbal area of Zaina Kadal, interior areas of Batamaloo, parts of Zaffron Colony, Bemina and other parts of Srinagar alleged that water supply in their areas have been affected over the past one week due to intense weak. “There is no pressure in the water supply pipes and we have to wait for long to fill buckets and utensils,”
With taps running almost dry, residents are left scrambling for alternate sources. Many now rely on bottled water or tube-wells every day. “The unavailability of drinking water has made our lives miserable. We have been surviving on bottled and borrowed water. Not a single drop has come from the tap,” said Nayeem Patloo, a resident of Islam Yarbal, Zaina Kadal.
Ghulam Mohammad, an elderly resident, said the situation has tested their patience. “Every morning we wake up hoping something will change, but it’s the same story — empty taps. We are tired of waiting.”
Several households are spending large sums daily to buy drinking water. “We are forced to spend hundreds of rupees just to ensure clean drinking water. This is becoming unaffordable,” said Faheem Makhdoomi, another resident
Mushtaq Ahmad, a resident of Bemina said: “This is a daily struggle. We wake up and our first thought is whether we will have enough water for the day. We can’t go on like this. The authorities need to act before the situation turns worse.”
The crisis is particularly affecting families with young children, elderly parents, and those with medical conditions. “We have small children, elderly parents, but no one seems to be bothered by our plight,” said, Naveed Andrabi, a local resident.
Arshad Khandey, another resident, shared similar concerns. “My mother has high blood pressure and needs to stay hydrated in this heat, but we are struggling to provide even that.”
In addition to drinking water, the shortage has severely impacted everyday tasks such as cooking, washing, and cleaning. “We are collecting water in buckets from far-off areas, but that’s not a sustainable solution,” said Najma Naqshbandi, a homemaker. “We can’t cook or clean properly. It’s exhausting.” The ongoing heatwave has worsened the situation, leaving residents feeling helpless. “In this scorching heat, not having water to drink or bathe is unbearable. We feel abandoned,” said Shakeel Ahmad.
Several residents said they had approached officials multiple times, but no action has followed. “We have been requesting help for days now. No one has come to inspect the area or offer any relief,” said Hilal Lone. “Are we not part of this city?”
When contacted, a senior official from the Jal Shakti Department (PHE), requesting anonymity, said the matter has been brought to their notice and necessary steps are being taken. “We are aware of the problem and our teams have been directed to inspect the localities facing water crisis in the city. Immediate measures are being planned to restore water supply.”
The official added that water tankers will be deployed to provide temporary relief to the affected areas. “We are arranging tankers to ensure residents have access to drinking water while the issue is being addressed.” With the heatwave showing no signs of easing, residents of Srinagar parts remain hopeful that their repeated appeals will finally prompt urgent government action before the situation worsens any further.
