Drastic fall in Jhelum water level hits major irrigation schemes in Pulwama

Pulwama, July, 05: A drastic fall in the water level of river Jhelum has severely impacted major lift irrigation schemes across South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, plunging farmers into an irrigation crisis at the peak of a relentless heat wave.The prolonged dry spell has sharply reduced the discharge in Jhelum, leaving irrigation pumps in many areas inoperative and thousands of kanals of paddy and vegetable fields under severe stress.Farmers from Wakherwan, Renzipora, Gulzarpora, Banderpora, and Badriwan say their crops are wilting for want of water. Shabeer Ahmad, a farmer from Wakherwan, said their fields were last irrigated days ago, and the pumps now stand idle with no water to lift. “If this continues, we might lose our entire crop,” he lamented.Javid Ahmad, a resident of Hajibal, said their irrigation pumps have been dry for over a week. “Our paddy fields were irrigated about ten days ago, but since then we haven’t received any water. The water level in Jhelum is so low that the pumps can’t function,” he said. Similar concerns have been raised by farmers in Naman, Narbal, Urwan, Malwari, and nearby villages, who fear extensive crop damage if the situation persists.In response, the irrigation department has issued a notification regulating water supply on a rotational basis to manage the drought-like situation.As per the schedule, water will be provided to Koil, Banderpora, Wakherwan, Renzipora, and Badriwan from Saturday to Tuesday, while Padgampora, Malangpora, Lajoora, and Puchul will receive water on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Villagers have been urged to cooperate and use water judiciously during their allotted days. The order will remain in force until there is an improvement in the river’s water level.Executive Engineer Irrigation Division Pulwama, Er Peer Manzoor told Rising Kashmir that almost all major lift irrigation schemes ( LIS) have been affected due to drastic fall in Jhelum’s water level.“Draught pumps have been operating at all places to provide irrigation to farmers on rotation basis,” he said, adding that the crisis has resulted due to sharp fall in water level in Jhelum.