Srinagar, Feb 17: The depletion and pollution of water sources in the Kashmir Valley have led to contamination, sparking fears of waterborne infections and raising concerns among public health experts about potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
Ajaz Rasool, a Kashmir-based hydraulic engineering expert and environmentalist, said that pollution directly affects water bodies and lakes in many areas.
He warned that when water levels are low, bacteria proliferate, making the water a potential trigger for diseases. “Waterborne diseases occur due to pollution, whether water levels are low or high in rivers and streams,” he said.
He also highlighted that the situation is more severe this year, as many areas in Srinagar are facing water shortages. “People will be forced to rely on water from streams and nallahs, which could lead to an increase in waterborne diseases due to the lack of proper filtration.”
The environmentalist said that there is still a lack of a comprehensive water management policy in Jammu and Kashmir to address the adverse effects of climate change. “The policy is the need of the hour which can help in managing water use,” he said.
Public health experts said that contaminated water consumption may trigger infections like Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E, jaundice, worm infestation, and typhoid, posing a serious health risk, especially in rural and underserved areas.
They said many water bodies in the valley have developed a foul stench, with contamination seen in several areas due to prolonged dry weather and deficient snowfall.
Dr. Masood Rashid, a public health expert in J&K Health Department said when there is water shortage it affects personal and food hygiene adding contamination of water can lead to many types of waterborne diseases.
He warned that Hepatitis E has a high mortality rate during pregnancy, urging pregnant women to take extra precautions if they live in areas with contaminated water.
During a dry spell, water availability decreases, leading people to rely on rivers, streams, ponds and nallahs for water.
Professor and HOD of Community Medicine at GMC Srinagar, Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan said people need to take precautions. “They should use boiled water and ensure it is boiled for 10-15 minutes. There is a possibility that stagnant water may be contaminated,” he said.
He said that in some places, there might be fecal contamination, increasing the risk of infection when using water from alternative sources.
“If people use such water, it should be allowed to stand for some time to let impurities settle and remove visible contaminants,” he advised.
Doctors stated that much of the drainage in Srinagar and other areas flows directly into water bodies, further polluting them and degrading water quality.
In 2024, Kashmir witnessed nearly 40 outbreaks of Hepatitis-A which were seen mostly in children and reported by the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) across the valley. Health experts attribute the rise to poor hygiene practices, consumption of untreated water, and lack of awareness about the disease.
Dr. Mir Waseem, a public health expert and the National Joint Secretary of the United Doctors Front Association, stated that as the water table declines, there is a shift towards relying on natural water resources.
“Once the water table goes down, people resort to non-conventional sources like tube wells, streams which are not safe and this can cause water-borne diseases,” he said.
Mir said when children are outside, they often drink water from open sources, which can lead to Hepatitis-A. At times, this can be particularly dangerous for children, as they are more vulnerable to waterborne diseases. “Boiling kills viruses which is important,” he said.
Last month, Jal Shakti (PHE) Department issued a water contamination alert and stated that 37 springs out of 40 in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts have turned unsafe for drinking as their samples have shown bacteriological components during investigation.
Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti (PHE) Department Kashmir, Er. Braham Jyoti Sharma said there is no cause for concern and encouraged people to contact the department if they face drinking water issues.
“There has been a deficit in snowfall and rainfall compared to previous years, but we are fully prepared to handle the situation. We are managing resources efficiently. We ensure that water is sourced only after proper treatment and testing,” he said.
The Chief Engineer further stated that water samples are regularly tested across various areas in the district and sub-divisional laboratories to ensure water is safe.
“We have 53 labs in Kashmir, more than 50 percent of which have been accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing (NABL). Efforts are underway to get all remaining labs accredited, and the process is in progress,” he said.
