Over a dozen Handwara villages without drinking water for last 15 days

Kupwara, Dec 20: Residents of Magam area of Handwara in  north Kashmir’s Kupwara district have expressed strong resentment against Jal Shakti Department for failing to provide them potable drinking water resulting in severe hardships to the inhabitants.

Residents of over a dozen villages complained that they were reeling under acute shortage of water for the past fifteen days but authorities have failed to take any tangible measure despite repeated pleas.

Residents said that due to non availability of tap water they are forced to use contaminated water from the local stream exposing them to water borne diseases.

"For the last fifteen days we are really suffering due to the non-availability of water. Magam comprises several villages and all are suffering in this bone chilling cold. Although the Jal Shakti Department has kept a water tanker available, that does not suffice the need," a local told Greater Kashmir.

Meanwhile Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Department Handwara told Greater Kashmir that the bore well from which the entire Magam receives water has dried up. "We have dug up another bore well there but the water is not fit for drinking purposes. Till the problem is redressed we will be providing them water by tankers," he added.