Image/Ubaid Mukhtar-TK

REGIONAL

Dry spell triggers panic in Kashmir, Complaints of water scarcity pour in

By News Desk

September 15, 2023

The persistent dry spell in Jammu & Kashmir has led to complaints of water scarcity in some places as the water level has reduced in the water bodies, given the deficit rainfall in the region for the past two months.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), J&K has recorded 12 per cent deficient rainfall in the ongoing season from 01 July, 2023 to 13 September, 2023.

As already reported yesterday, the water level in almost all the water bodies, especially in river Jhelum, Doodh Ganga and other tributaries have reduced.

Reports suggest that the water scarcity has hit multiple places in wake of the persistent dry spell.

The consumers have complained that they are not getting an adequate water supply from the past many days, thus simultaneously affecting normal life as well.

Even the government has admitted that the complaints are being received about the water scarcity from some areas.

In Charge Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti department, Sanjeev Malhotra told KNO that so far there is no major impact due to prevalent weather conditions, but the situation is being tackled by the department very wisely.

“Wherever the complaint of water scarcity is being received, the department immediately sends the water tanker to the locality to address the grievances,” Malhotra said.

He also stated that it is indeed a fact that the dry spell results in the water scarcity as the water is a natural product, which cannot be ensured until and unless there is availability of it.

The Chief Engineer further stated that there is a possibility of improvement in the present weather conditions and they are hoping that the temporary situation being witnessed at present will come to an end soon.

Earlier, the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department Chief Engineer, Naresh Kumar had told KNO that the present weather condition had 25 per cent impact at the lift irrigation spots—(KNO)