SRINAGAR: More than two-thirds of the drinking water supply schemes damaged by the recent cloudburst in the Awoora-Pahalgam belt continue to remain defunct, leaving thousands of consumers across south Kashmir dependent on water tankers as authorities struggle to restore the flood-ravaged infrastructure.
The cloudburst and the ensuing flash floods crippled 79 drinking water supply schemes after washing away pipelines, damaging intake structures and disrupting vital source networks supplying potable water to dozens of villages. While restoration teams have managed to revive 22 schemes, the remaining 57 are yet to be restored, prolonging the water crisis in several affected areas.
The disruption has compounded the hardships of residents already grappling with damaged roads, washed-away bridges and widespread destruction caused by the natural calamity. In many localities, tanker services remain the only source of drinking water as repair work continues.
A top official from PHE Department said that restoration teams are engaged in replacing damaged pipelines, rebuilding source structures and clearing debris deposited by the flash floods. However, the extensive damage has slowed efforts to fully restore the water supply network.
The cloudburst that struck the Pahalgam-Awoora area caused extensive damage to public infrastructure and essential services, with drinking water supply emerging as one of the worst-hit sectors in the aftermath of the disaster. [KNT]
