In view of the inadequate precipitation during winter, the state’s public health engineering department has drawn up a ‘Drought Plan’ to ensure potable water supply in coming months. The department has sought Rs 131 crore from the state government to augment the supply of water and upgrade infrastructure to meet water demand.
“The Valley has received less precipitation over the last 8 months which has resulted in depletion of water sources,” Chief Kashmir, PHE Kashmir division Er. Abdul Wahid told Kashmir Post.
The money will be spent on construction of production wells, bore wells, commissioning of 902 hand pumps, water tankers and regulation of the existing systems. The department will launch 804 water schemes to compensate for the anticipated drought-like scenario.
A source said heads of all 24 PHE divisions of Kashmir have been alerted to come up with a plan on how the situation can be best handled. “We have been asked to make an assessment of the situation and give inputs about handling situation in case the dry spell prolongs,” said a PHE executive engineer in central Kashmir division.
Against an average snowfall of 198.2 mm from December to February, the total snowfall received this winter has been a meager 37 mm. Already prolonged dry conditions during last summer had reduced water level in Jhelum to a record low of 0.65 mm in October.
This drastic fall in discharge has now prompted authorities to blockade Jhelum at Chattabal to ensure retention of some water along its course in Srinagar and prevent it from looking “like a drain”. According to a senior official more than 60 percent of 1400 drinking water supply schemes, most of them on Jhelum, have been badly affected.
PHE dept draws up Drought Plan as valley witnesses snow-less winter
