Srinagar, July 20 (NVI):- Drinking water scarcity, mostly found in dry and plain areas, has ironically hit Kashmir which is renowned for umpteen water bodies like rivers and streams, flowing directly from the ice-capped mountains enveloping the valley.
Srinagar, the capital of the ‘Paradise on Earth’, is facing a shortage of drinking water to an extent that the authorities have had to issue an appeal to the general masses to use the essential commodity judiciously.
The government attributes the scarcity of drinking water to the “continuous dry spell and heat wave” and have urged the public in Kashmir to use water judiciously.
“Due to increase in temperature in Kashmir Valley the consumption/drawls of water supply have increased considerably, which has resulted in shortage of water supply in some parts of Srinagar City especially in tail end areas. As such, general public is appealed to use the drinking water judiciously and avoid wastages/misuse of water by using it in Lawns, Kitchen-Gardens, washing of vehicles etc.” said a public message issued by Executive Engineer, Water Works Division, Srinagar.
It added that, “the consumers using direct online boosters are appealed to stop this practice immediately for equitable distribution of water supply in their respective areas. This is an offence under Jammu & Kashmir Water Resources Regulation and Managemen Act 2010 and the department shall be forced to take action against all such offenders.”
The scarcity of water in Srinagar, which is located at the Centre of the Kashmir Valley, should be a worrying indicator for the times to come.
After all, this has been the place where water used to flow non-stop 24×7 to the taps of every household directly from the reservoirs.
