Shopian, Sep 18: Several localities in south Kashmir’s Shopian district are facing an acute shortage of drinking water, forcing residents at times to rely on potentially contaminated water sources to meet their daily needs.
Residents of Gada Mohalla, Peer Mohalla and parts of Bonabazar said they had been facing inadequate piped water supply for the past several months, with water available only for brief periods and at very low pressure.
According to residents, the limited supply has made it difficult for households to meet their daily consumption requirements, including drinking, washing clothes and other domestic activities.
Bashrat Amin, a resident, said Gada Mohalla had been facing a water shortage for the past four to five months.
“We receive water for a very short time, and the pressure is so low that we have to use water pumps to draw it,” he said.
He said residents had not witnessed such a severe water crisis in their locality before, adding that the shortage had caused considerable inconvenience to households.
Shopian is known for its rivers, streams and springs, with several water bodies spread across the district. However, residents said the presence of abundant natural water resources had not translated into a reliable piped drinking water supply in their localities.
Despite the availability of water sources, they said, a consistent and adequate supply remains a challenge, raising concerns about access to safe drinking water.
Residents of Bonabazar also reported similar difficulties, saying the water shortage had disrupted their daily routines.
Ashiq Hussain, a resident of the locality, said households were receiving water for only brief periods, which was insufficient to meet their domestic requirements.
“We receive water for a very short time. It is not sufficient for washing clothes and carrying out other household chores,” he said.
Residents said the inadequate supply and low water pressure had increased their dependence on alternative arrangements, including water pumps, to collect water whenever it became available.
They urged the Jal Shakti Department to examine the issue and ensure a regular and adequate supply of drinking water to the affected localities.
The residents also called for steps to improve water pressure and address the factors responsible for the prolonged disruption, saying reliable access to drinking water was essential for households.
The affected residents hoped that the authorities would intervene promptly and restore a dependable water supply to the localities.
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