Farmers worried as paddy fields turn parched in north Kashmir

Sopore, Jul 2: A severe water crisis has gripped large swathes of north Kashmir, particularly Sopore, leaving over 40,000 kanals of agricultural land, including the once-thriving villages of Zaloora, Sagipora, Harwan and adjoining areas, completely parched.
With paddy fields drying up amid an intense heatwave, distressed farmers warned of mass suicides if immediate action is not taken by the government.
“We had expectations from the government and the irrigation department, but they’ve failed us completely. It’s the last stage now. If this continues, we have no other option but to die,” a group of distressed farmers from Sagipora said.
The area’s primary irrigation lifeline, the Lal Koul stream, which originates from Kupwara, has reportedly gone dry, severing the only water supply to thousands of paddy fields.
Distressed farmers said the irrigation department has let them down. “They could have installed a basic pump and connected that to a dedicated line which wouldn’t have required much expenses, but they failed. Government’s negligence has pushed us to the point where we’re left begging, distressed, they added.
“In my 60 years, I have never seen anything like this,” said an elderly farmer while pointing to his cracked fields. “We didn’t even know there would be such a water crisis. No one told us to prepare, no one warned us.”
Farmers expressed outrage at the department for collecting irrigation fees without warning them about the ongoing water shortage. “At the time of collecting the fee, there was no mention of dry canals or water deficiency. Had we known, we wouldn’t have sown paddy at all,” one of the farmers said.
Adding to the crisis, several villages across Zaingeer belt reportedly did not opt for paddy cultivation this season due to the already dry and hot weather conditions. Residents say those who sowed paddy are now facing irreversible crop failure.
“Our fields are turning into wastelands. The government must step in now, or they’ll be responsible for a disaster beyond recovery,” farmers at Sagipora said.
The crisis has not only jeopardized Kashmir’s key paddy-growing season but also pushed hundreds of families to the edge of financial ruin. “We are forced to choose between repaying our loans and feeding our children. What are we supposed to do?” said another farmer from Zaloora.
Similar reports of dry paddy fields and farmer distress have also emerged from other parts of north Kashmir, including Handwara, where residents are facing the same water scarcity and lack of irrigation support, despite claims of measures in place from the department.
The residents have appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Chief Minister and the local MLA to implement emergency relief measures to mitigate the looming agricultural and humanitarian catastrophe.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the concerned Executive Engineer said he was “in a meeting” and did not offer further comments.
However, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sopore, S.A Raina assured the matter would be taken up with the concerned department on priority. (KNO)