Karnah, July 16 (JKNS): Several villages in the border subdivision of Karnah are facing a severe shortage of safe drinking water. Due to the drying up of natural springs, damage to water sources, and inadequate water supply, residents are struggling to meet their daily needs.
In many areas, women and children are forced to travel long distances to fetch water, while several communities have no option but to consume unsafe water, raising concerns about the outbreak of water-borne diseases.
Residents said they have repeatedly brought the issue to the attention of the concerned authorities and higher administration, but no effective or satisfactory action has been taken so far. They urged the government to ensure the immediate supply of drinking water to the affected villages and prepare a comprehensive long-term plan to permanently address the crisis.
Apart from drinking water, irrigation has also become a major concern. Water channels used for paddy cultivation in several villages have dried up completely, leaving paddy fields severely affected by drought-like conditions.
Residents also stated that the irrigation water originating from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which many farmers depend upon, has stopped flowing, creating further hardships for the farming community.
When contacted, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Karnah said that the administration is fully committed to resolving public grievances.
Speaking to Sheharbien, he said that weekly review meetings are being held with officials from various departments to assess issues related to electricity, drinking water, and other essential services and to ensure effective measures for their resolution.
He further said that he has personally visited several remote villages where shortages of water and electricity have been reported to assess the situation on the ground.
The SDM assured that the sub-divisional administration is making every possible effort to provide relief to the public and that necessary directions have been issued to the concerned departments to address these problems at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the people of Karnah expressed hope that the administration’s assurances would be translated into concrete action and that they would soon get relief from the persistent problems of electricity and safe drinking water. (JKNS)
