Udhampur's Water Crisis: Infrastructure Ravaged by Floods

The Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir battles severe water shortages following floods that wreaked havoc on the local water supply infrastructure. With major damage to pipelines and schemes, recovery is ongoing but slow, affecting many in the district reliant on the Jal Jeevan Mission and other initiatives.

The district of Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir is currently grappling with a water shortage crisis, as a result of infrastructure devastation following heavy rains and floods in August. The Jal Shakti Department faces prolonged and challenging repairs, with 160 out of 200 water supply schemes suffering damage since the disasters struck.

Sandeep Gupta, Executive Engineer at the Jal Shakti Department in Udhampur, revealed that 24 of these schemes sustained severe impairments, leading to a complete halt in the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). The department has managed to restore approximately 70-80% of the water supply, but the new JJM scheme's repairs remain a significant challenge.

Locals in affected areas, such as Darsoo village, describe facing dire water scarcity and infrastructural destruction. Residents urge the government for immediate action, demanding the revival of the Jal Jeevan Mission and quick compensation for losses. Efforts to rehabilitate the crucial water supply infrastructures are underway, but the community seeks expedited assistance from both local and national governments.

(With inputs from agencies.)