Srinagar, Dec 12: With a prolonged dry spell tightening its grip over Kashmir, the Jal Shakti Department on Friday said normal water supply is being maintained across Srinagar city through its major treatment plants.
However, officials also warned that if the dry weather continues, it could soon trigger shortages in rural and tail-end areas where natural water sources are already showing signs of decline.
Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti Kashmir, Er Rakesh Kumar Gupta said that the department’s Nishat, Rangeel, Sukhnag, and Ganderbal treatment plants are currently operating at a combined capacity of 92 million gallons per day (MGD), ensuring a stable supply across urban zones.
“Due to the dry spell, there has been a shortage in rural areas where our water sources are in higher reaches,” Er Gupta said. “But our major treatment plants in Srinagar are running at a normal capacity of 92 MGD.”
He, however, cautioned that if the dry spell continues, the situation may tighten. “It is anticipated that there may be a shortage. In the tail-end areas, there may be a problem in water supply,” he said, adding that water tankers have been arranged to meet demand in affected pockets.
Er Gupta further said the department is taking measures to conserve water at its sources, particularly in districts suffering from “a 40–59% rainfall deficit”.
“We are trying to conserve water through earthen bunds and stone pitching to preserve available resources until rainfall occurs and our groundwater gets recharged,” he said.
Moreover, appealing for public cooperation, the Chief Engineer urged residents to use water judiciously. “We will try our best to provide a normal water supply, but people should not waste water during the dry spell. Use treated water only for drinking and not for other purposes,” he said—(KNO)
