Srinagar areas hit by drinking water scarcity amid scorching heat

Srinagar, July 7: Amid scorching heat wave, people of several localities in the summer capital are facing acute shortage of drinking water.

Greater Kashmir received complaints from several areas from Uptown and Downtown areas about water shortage. Aggrieved residents of Batamaloo areas like Mirabad, Salfia Colony, PCR area, Khan Colony, Firdousabad, Deyarwani, Dandarkha, SD Colony, Mominabad, said they are suffering from water scarcity. They said adjoining areas of uptown areas like Bypass, Solina, Aalochibagh are continuously facing issue of inadequate water supply.

“Amid heat wave, we have been facing a huge water scarcity in the area. We barely have any water supply, and our taps are running dry most of the time. We are storing water and bringing it from other areas in buckets and other utensils. Our washrooms have no water supply, which is creating huge issues for us. Despite repeated requests to authorities, they are not paying heed to our issues,” Abdul Raheem, a local from Batamaloo, said.

The locals said that most of the time, there is very low water pressure, and they are unable to fill their water tanks. As a result, many people resort to using electric water motors, which further exacerbates the situation. The locals in Downtown said that water scarcity has worsened since the heat wave. They said that they are facing not only water scarcity but also contaminated water issues.

“We are getting water full of contamination. We are falling sick due to this issue and urge authorities to enhance the water supply and also ensure that water is clean. Our areas like Bachidarwaza, Hawal, Makhdoom Sahib, and adjoining areas are worst hit by this issue,” Faizan Ahmad, a local from Downtown, said.

An official from the PHE department, while acknowledging the issue of inadequate water supply in Srinagar areas, said that they are working to resolve the issue. He said they are ensuring water supply via tankers in the worst-hit areas.

“On a daily basis we are pressing our men and machinery in these areas with acute water shortages. We are also trying our best to enhance the water supply on the ground,” said the official.