Irrigation restored in over dozen south Kashmir villages

Anantnag, Jun 21: Irrigation supply to dozens of villages in south Kashmir was restored Saturday, bringing much-needed relief to hundreds of farmers on the final day of paddy transplantation.

The water supply had been disrupted following a major breach in the Awantipora Canal at Waghama-Bijbehara late Monday night, affecting more than 2,500 hectares of paddy land across Anantnag and Pulwama districts. The 50-meter-wide breach sparked panic among farming communities dependent on the canal and left many fearing crop failure and a severe blow to their livelihoods. “It was quite a herculean task, but our team worked day and night to restore the supply,” an irrigation department official said.

The water was restored just in time to meet the critical June 21 deadline for completing paddy transplantation. “This is our only crop of the year. If the supply hadn’t resumed, we would have been ruined,” said Javed Ahmad, a farmer from Waghama. “We are thankful to the department. Our hard work won’t go waste now.”

Villages including Marhama, Buliyar, K. Pora, Parigam, Panjpora, Chachkoot, Charsoo, Beighpora, and Hari received water on Saturday, giving hope to farmers who had been on edge all week. “The water in the canal has given a new lease of life,” said Shakil Ahmad of Hari village.

The canal breach also reignited concerns over poor maintenance and unregulated activities along the embankments. Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri, the local MLA from Bijbehara, praised the engineers and workers who repaired the breach. He has blamed soil extraction and the movement of heavy dumpers along canal roads for weakening the embankments. The breach also damaged a portion of a recently built PMGSY road, disrupting connectivity to several remote villages.

“It will take some time to restore road access,” an official said.