Baramulla grapples with water shortage amid prolonged dry spell

Baramulla, Jan 20: In the face of prolonged dry weather conditions, Baramulla district is grappling with a water shortage, prompting officials to deploy water tankers as a mitigation measure.
Officials acknowledge that urban areas are the most severely affected due to reduced rainfall, resulting in a deficit of water supply to consumers.
During his maiden visit to Sopore town, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, said the district is already experiencing water deficits. However, water tankers have been mobilised to ensure essential water needs are met, particularly in areas facing acute scarcity, he said.
Expressing deep concern over the escalating dry weather conditions, the DC said Baramulla is no stranger to water deficit challenges. He said efforts are underway to deliver potable water to communities experiencing shortages.
“Baramulla district has multiple water schemes under the Jal Jeevan mission, with over 60 operational and additional schemes set to be operational in the next three to four months, aiming to alleviate the water crisis. Currently, urban areas are the hardest hit,” Sherpa said.
Regarding incomplete works under languishing projects, the DC said that priority would be given to projects nearing completion.
Residents across various areas in the district have complained about inadequate water supplies and have held protests against the Jal Shakti Department.
Officials at Jal Shakti Division Sopore said there is a per-day deficit of 50 lakh gallons of water supply in the north Kashmir township. “However, despite the current challenges, we are optimistic that the AMRUT-2 scheme, set to be executed soon, will alleviate the scarcity,” they said.
The Jal Shakti Department has urged people to adopt water conservation practices, make judicious use of water and take measures to reduce wastage. It has appealed to the public to refrain from unnecessary wastage of drinking water.
Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Division Sopore, Mushtaq Ahmed, strongly advised against the indiscriminate use of online water boosters. “Such unregulated use may adversely affect the equitable distribution of water, particularly to residents at the tail end of the distribution network,” the officer said. (KNO)