Ifla Aijaz
Srinagar, Sep 14, Buzzbytes: As a relentless dry spell blankets the Kashmir Valley, a looming water crisis has gripped the region. The Chief Engineer of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHE) has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, urging residents to use water judiciously.
Alarming reports reveal that nearly all of the region’s water bodies have dried up, compelling the PHE department to distribute potable water via tankers to areas facing severe shortages.
“The dry spell is undoubtedly going to impact us. Even now, the situation is deeply concerning. Water is a precious natural resource, and we must distribute what we have responsibly,” stated Chief Engineer Sanjeev Malhotra of the PHE department to Buzzbytes news agency.
According to the weather office, the dry spell is expected to persist, exacerbating the water crisis in the Kashmir Valley, especially in the Jammu region. The near-complete depletion of water bodies, coupled with the PHE department’s struggle to secure water from viable sources, has exacerbated the situation.
Concerned citizens from various localities are already grappling with acute water shortages, prompting protests against this pressing issue.
Chief Engineer Sanjeev Malhotra confirmed that surface water sources have dried up, and groundwater levels have plummeted significantly. Artificial water bodies, including reservoirs, have also seen a drastic decline.
Insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, raised questions about the government’s claims that 65% of work has been completed under various schemes conducted as part of the Jal Jevan Mission. They questioned why, if this were the case, there would still be water shortages.
Recently, the department declared that it supplied 90 Million Gallons Daily (MGD) of water to Srinagar city. However, critics contend that only 65 MGD of water is actually being delivered, leading to the current crisis.
Chief Engineer Sanjeev Malhotra noted that the quantity of water supplied to Srinagar fluctuates daily. [Buzzbytes]
