Water Crisis Hits Ganderbal, Farmers in Distress

Ganderbal, May 21 – A severe water shortage in Saloora village of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district is threatening the livelihood of paddy farmers, as irrigation canals run dry amid a prolonged heatwave and lack of rainfall.

Farmers in Saloora, Arhama, and Tulmulla report that their fields are drying out, with paddy saplings beginning to wilt and visible cracks forming in the soil. Many fear a looming drought could lead to crop failure and food insecurity.

“Our land is parched, and the crops are dying. If this continues, starvation is inevitable,” said a distressed farmer from Saloora.

Assistant Executive Engineer for Irrigation in Ganderbal, S.A. Qadri, acknowledged the crisis and said remedial measures are underway. “The main canal had a blockage, which has been cleared. However, a narrow 6-inch pipe laid by the R&B department has created a bottleneck. Smaller pipes downstream are attempting to distribute water to the fields, but local disputes over water use are further hampering efforts,” Qadri explained.

He added that the department is working urgently to restore water flow and prevent further agricultural damage.