Baramulla’s Kanispora residents struggle with acute water shortage amid heatwave

Baramulla, June 30: Amid the severe heatwave, the residents of the Kanispora area in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district are facing immense hardships due to an acute water shortage that has lasted for the past one and a half months.
While most of Kanispora is grappling with water scarcity, Gousia Colony, Tawheed Colony, Shalimar Colony, Madinah Colony and Chak Mohalla are particularly hard hit, causing significant inconvenience to residents.
Currently, tap water is being provided on alternate days, and the Department of Jal Shakti has deployed water tankers to address the situation. However, some residents have resorted to purchasing water from private suppliers or bringing water in containers from nearby streams daily, as government water tankers remain insufficient to meet the area’s needs.
“Once a week, a 5,000-litre water tank is provided for around 120 households. Earlier, we used to get water from the Johoma water scheme, but as several areas got connected to it, no one is able to get a sufficient water supply now,” said Sheikh Mushtaq, General Secretary of Gousia Colony.
Locals have expressed frustration over the situation, alleging that they have raised the issue with concerned officials multiple times, only to be told that a new scheme will be started soon.
As the population in the area increases, the existing water scheme is unable to provide a sufficient water supply. A new water scheme has already been established in Johama Baramulla, and pipes have been installed in different colonies.
“Kanispora will get relief if the newly established water supply scheme becomes functional. Recently, a family in Tawheed Colony created a borewell. Considering its excessive water flow, it was decommissioned. It will also ease the sufferings if authorities utilize it for the public,” said Umar Rashid, a local journalist from Kanispora Baramulla.
When contacted, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of Jal Shakti Baramulla, Syed Imtiyaz, said the new water supply scheme is set to be inaugurated in the next 10 to 12 days.
“It is an extensive area, and due to the heatwave, demand is high. The department is trying its best to provide water, and the remaining areas are being covered through tankers,” he said, adding that using water in kitchen gardens in considerable amounts is a main reason for the water shortage.
“The newly established water supply scheme under Jal Jeevan Mission is 98 percent completed and will be inaugurated in the next 10 to 12 days,” the AEE added.