Srinagar: The farmers of Pulwama district in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir are grappling with a severe irrigation crisis, exacerbated by an extended period of dry weather this summer and compounded by neglect from local authorities, putting agricultural livelihoods at risk.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the crisis particularly affects the residents of Koil village who rely on irrigation for their apple orchards, a critical component of the local economy. The community has reported that the pumping station on the Jhelum River at Larkipora, built in 1984 to supply water to their village and surrounding areas, has fallen into disrepair. The station now fails to meet the water demands due to issues like silt deposition and machinery faults, which have not been adequately addressed despite repeated appeals to the authorities.
The situation has led to frustration among the farmers who are calling for immediate and effective action from the occupation authorities to restore and enhance the pumping station’s capacity. Their demands include the urgent repair of existing infrastructure to ensure the availability of sufficient irrigation water, essential for sustaining their crops and, by extension, their way of life. Despite these calls for help, no substantial measures have been taken to alleviate the crisis.