With unprecedented dry spell, Kupwara’s water crisis escalates
Kupwara, Jul 6: Emerging from the famous Lolab valley, the river Pohru that flows through the heart of Kupwara has witnessed the lowest water level for the first time due to the prevailing dry spell. The water level has come down significantly causing water scarcity.
The river Pohru has been the source of water to thousands of souls for centuries but the prevailing dry spell has impacted it badly causing concern for the people.
The water in the river Pohru has receded up to record low. The gravity of the problem can be realized that in several places people wade through the water to reach the other side of the river. "I have never seen such a low level of water in river Pohru. It is really alarming as this unprecedented helpline of Kupwara district has almost dried up. The problem could get worse in the coming days if the prevailing dry spell continues to remain in place," an octogenarian from Jaggerpora Handwara told Greater Kashmir.
"Lakhs of agricultural land solely depend on river Pohru for irrigation purposes. The prevailing dry spell could tell upon a major portion of agricultural land across the length and breadth of district Kupwara with no snowfall,” he added.
The tale of Nallah Mawer goes the same way. Originating from Keig Nag which is nestled in the foothills of Bangus, Nallah Mawer is wearing a deserted look. Nallah Mawer is the source of potable drinking water to thousands of villages in Mawer, Main Town Handwara, Chogal, Kulangam and Rajwar. The water of Nallah Mawer is regarded as the purest among all the water bodies in Kupwara but the prevailing dry spell has also impacted it badly bringing the water level to all time low.
The people of the area have blamed illegal extraction of minerals as one of the reasons for the low water level in Nallah Mawer apart from the present dry spell. Not only has the water level considerably gone down in Nallah Kehmil but the flora and fauna has also got affected badly, leaving the people distressed.
The prevailing widespread dry spell has caused scarcity of water in several areas of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district causing hardships for the general public. Many areas are experiencing significant disruptions in water supply affecting their daily life. A senior official of Jal Shakti Department told Greater Kashmir that if the present dry spell persists the situation with regard to drinking water can go from bad to worse.
