Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, June 20: The persistent rains have ended the Valley’s irrigation water scarcity and reactivated lift irrigation schemes that had become inoperable due to record low water level of river Jhelum and its tributaries.
According to official data, due to the constant rains for the past three days, the Sangam’s gauge reading has climbed from 0.74 to 5.87 feet, and that ended the irrigational water crisis in the Valley.
The officials informed that the 72 lift irrigation schemes that had been rendered inoperable owing to low water levels have been reactivated, and water has been delivered to all of the affected locations. “All of the stations are now operational, and irrigation and water will be delivered as needed,” an official said.
He continued that the rain has arrived at a key time since it will last till the plantation period is over. “Farmers normally stop plantation between the 21st and the 25th of June, and the irrigation water will last until then,” he said.
The official, however, said that the situation may arise again as the irrigation water is required till the harvesting season in September. “The water level may drop again with the drop in precipitation level and we might be facing a similar situation next month. We do not have drought pumps available with us to tackle the crisis,” he said.
He said that they have requested the government for potable water pumps, which will help them to reach the affected areas. “It will help us to mitigate the crisis by deploying the pumps to the affected areas. It would be of great assistance to the farmers,” he said.
Farmers had conflicting reactions to the rain, with some saying it came too late, while others were grateful for the timely rain because it rescued their harvest. “We had previously decided to grow a dry crop this year due to a lack of irrigation facilities, so the rain came late. We would have grown paddy if irrigation water had been provided on time,” a farmer from Pulwama said.
Famous water streams like Rambi Ara, Romshi, Laar, and Vushow, which were previously dry, have seen an uptick in water levels, giving optimism to the farmers who rely on these water sources for irrigation.
Follow our WhatsApp channel