Vikar Shah
Kishtwar,(DD): A severe water shortage has gripped the Drabshala area in the Inderwal constituency, leaving hundreds of residents struggling to meet their daily needs. The acute scarcity has persisted for several weeks, with locals accusing the administration of ignoring their repeated appeals.
“We are being forced to walk for miles just to collect a few buckets of water,” said Ghulam Nabi, a resident of the village. “Even animals are suffering. How long can this go on?”
Locals say the problem has worsened with rising temperatures. In many households, women and children are the ones bearing the brunt of the crisis.
“Every morning, my daughters and I leave the house with containers. By the time we return, half the day is gone,” said Shameema Begum, a mother of three. “We are exhausted and yet there’s no assurance from the authorities.”
The area, part of the Inderwal constituency, has reportedly faced similar issues in the past, but this time, residents say the delay in addressing the problem is unacceptable.
Mohammad Yousuf, another local, said, “We have knocked on every door, from the Jal Shakti office to the local administration, but all we get are empty promises. We appeal to our MLA and the district officials to take urgent steps before the situation turns into a full-blown disaster.”
People are now demanding the immediate deployment of water tankers, restoration of defunct water supply lines, and long-term solutions like borewells or piped water schemes.
With no rainfall in sight and temperatures rising, the villagers fear the worst may still be ahead unless authorities act swiftly (DD)
