Omar Says Will Review Steps Planned Against It, Urges Public Cooperation
Srinagar: Amid looming water scarcity following consecutive dry winters in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he will review the steps planned by the Jal Shakti (PHE) Department to address the issue.
In a post on X, Abdullah stated that the water crisis in J&K is not a sudden development but has been building up over several years.
He said that the government alone cannot resolve the situation and urged people to contribute to water conservation.
“J&K is staring at a water crisis this year. It’s not a recent phenomenon, actually it’s been building up for a few years now. While the government will have to adopt a more proactive approach for water management and conservation, it can’t just be a government-centric approach. All of us residents of J&K will have to change the way we take water for granted. I’ll be reviewing the measures the Jal Shakti (public health and engineering) department intends to take to deal with the developing crisis. I’ll also be talking to the people of J&K over the next few months about what we can do collectively,” Abdullah posted on X.
There were multiple protests in summer last year as well against water scarcity. But this time it is more severe with water scarcity developing even in winter. The rain deficit in January and February is the main reason.
Like last year, winter in Jammu and Kashmir this time has been by and large dry. The Union Territory has been experiencing a prolonged dry spell this winter with no major rain or snowfall so far in February, while the harshest winter period of Chilai Kalan from December 21 to January 30 recorded a 75% deficit precipitation, the meteorological department said in Srinagar. There have been three mild bouts of snowfall during the period on December 27-28, January 4-5 and January 16. But overall, this winter has seen a deficit precipitation.
The deficit precipitation has led to the drying up of water sources of the Himalayan Valley. The Jhelum river is seeing one of the lowest water levels, while there have also been several incidents of forest fires. The water in the Valley’s many springs, particularly the prominent Achabal spring in Mughal Garden of south Kashmir’s Anantnag, has either dried up or in a critical state.
The 30-hour shutdown of the Sindh Power Canal for clearing silt and conducting repairs from Saturday has aggravated the situation as it is a major source of power and water supply to Srinagar.
The executive engineer of the water works division of Srinagar, name here, put out a public notice saying: “The department of civil investigation and design wing, Jammu and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation, Kashmir, will undertake a 30-hour shutdown on February 22 to carry out repairs of the Sindh Power Canal, Old Ganderbal, and desilting. As a result, the raw water supply to water treatment plants at Nishat, Alusteng and Rangil will get affected. Potable water supply shall remain affected in major parts of Srinagar city and the adjoining areas.”