Mubashir Alam Wani
Srinagar, Jul 22: After the protests erupted over water scarcity in the Valley, the administration on Monday said that nearly 20 per cent of water supply has been affected in Kashmir.
15-20 percent of the valley’s potable water supply is “badly affected”, the Jal Shakti Department’s Chief Engineer, Er. Vivek Kohli, said, adding that the situation may deteriorate further in case the ongoing wet spell persists.
“Due to the prolonged dry spell, the demand in the water supply has increased, thereby affecting the supply at present,” he said.
Er. Kohli said the impact of the dry spell is more in plain areas, where a much decline in water supply is being witnessed.
“Discharge at some isolated springs across the valley has considerably reduced, which has exacerbated the water scarcity issue,” Kohli said, adding that there is no such major problem in Srinagar areas other than few tail end areas of the City.
The Chief Engineer said an emergency water supply plan has already been initiated for areas facing water scarcity.
“For water supply, we have a contingency plan, as water production depends on the availability of water in bodies like rivers and springs. However, we have moblisied all water tankers and wherever the water supply is needed, the supply will be made available,” he said.
He added that the officers in the PHE Department have also been empowered to hire private water tankers, in case the existing water tanker fleet is not meeting the requirements.
“The move is aimed to mitigate the water crisis in the areas facing water scarcity. We have already issued the toll free numbers in case people will be facing any issue, they can call us,” he added.
CE Jal Shakti PHE Kashmir urged people to use water judiciously and not to use the tap water for watering the lawns, kitchen gardens or for washing the vehicles.
Meanwhile, the meteorological department here has predicted dry weather until July 26, stating that no significant weather change is expected till the end of this month.
The valley is currently experiencing hot and humid weather conditions with no sign of respite for the people living in the valley.
