People in Kashmir face dearth of water on World Water Day

Srinagar, Mar 22 (UNI) On World Water Day, people in most areas in the valley, including Srinagar city, are facing an acute water paucity after a number of filtration plants damaged due to recent flash floods.

A spokesman for the Water Works Department (WWD) confirmed that a number of filtration plants had suffered damage due to the flash floods.

He said a control room had been set up to monitor the water crisis. He said affected areas were being supplied water through water tankers.

Official sources said water could not be stored in the filtration plants of Alisteang and Rangeel water supply schemes feeding water to most areas in the downtown and outskirts, including Ganderbal, Soura, Ahmednagar and Bachpora.

They said water source of these plants suffered damage due to the flash floods following relentless rain.

Efforts are being made to repair the damaged portion of the canal so that water supply could be restored.

The sources said water supply in the uptown areas was also badly affected as water could not be stored in the filtration plant at Doodganga. The water was full of mud so it could not be lifted to the filtration plant, they said.

A report from Charar-e-Sharief in central Kashmir said the water supply was also disrupted in Charawani and other adjoining villages due to damage caused to waterpipes.

UNI