Dozens of lift irrigation schemes on the river defunct in south Kashmir, livelihood of thousands of families in danger

Srinagar, Jun 09: Water level in Jhelum river is receding with each passing day due to which more and more lift irrigation schemes are getting defunct, risking livelihood of thousands of families in Kashmir.

Executive Engineer Irrigation and flood Control Pulwama division Er Fareed told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the water level in the river which originates in south Kashmir and passes through Srinagar, is alarmingly low at 0.6 feet.

During the current season, the river’s water level in the last few years was 5-6 feet.

He said that they have two kinds of schemes for irrigation purposes which includes a scheme with a vertical pump having a sump and once water level reduces, no intervention is possible for such schemes.

He said that another kind of scheme has drought pumps and once water level goes down, it can be adjusted with a limited pipe. But the water level at this stage is so low that even after an additional pipe, it does not reach the water level.

“Our all machinery is ok but it is low water level which has created problems for all,” he said, adding, “people have been demanding immediate intervention which isn’t possible at this stage”.

Officials said that the situation is going to get worse if there won’t be rains in the coming time and people at the earliest must sow other crops other than paddy.

They said that some schemes are functional but most of them have become defunct due to low water level.

People from different areas of south Kashmir said that their livelihood is dependent on paddy but in absence of irrigation facilities their livelihood is in danger.

“Whatever alternate crops we will slow, it needs irrigation facilities less or more but when there are no such arrangements what is fun of sowing anything,” they said—(KNO)