SRINAGAR: A Jal Shakti Department employee was found dead under mysterious circumstances at Darhal in Rajouri district, officials said on Tuesday.

They told GNS that the employee Nissar Ahmad had gone to check the water supply yesterday afternoon, but didn't return ever since. "After looking for him, the family failed to find any trace until it was through social-media informed that the employee's body has been found under mysterious circumstances in the area", the officials said.

Confirming it, a police official told GNS that they have taken cognisance of the incident for further investigations. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Water seeped into several shops at Srinagar’s newly renovated Polo-view market apparently due to drain blockage.

The Polo view is Kashmir’s first pedestrian-oriented shopping street and wire-free market and the renovated street was inaugurated by J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on May 12. The street, established in 1954 by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, who happened to be the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, was renovated under the Srinagar Smart City Projects.

The shopkeepers at the street said this on Tuesday morning when they opened their shops they were shocked to see shops inundated.

“This is the first time that water seeped into shops here,” said a shopkeeper at Polo view. “In the first place we moved several precious items from the shops to drier places.”

Chief Executive Officer Srinagar Smart City Ltd Athar Aamir Khan along with a team of officers visited polo view to ascertain the facts.

The National Conference said the renovation of Polo View Market was executed in a “haphazard” manner with an “appalling disregard” for such eventualities.

“..Since day one, we vehemently asserted crores of rupees were squandered on the project, and within a month, our apprehensions proved well-founded,” the NC spokesperson Imran Dar said in a tweet.

The Srinagar Smart city Ltd reacted and said the shopkeepers have connected their sewer outlet with an old storm water drainage network which is legally forbidden.

“The fact that the shops are very old and having porous foundation and floor height below ground level, appears to be the main cause,” a tweet by the Srinagar Smart city Ltd said.

“Due to heavy rainfall, the drain had a higher flow that made the water enter the shops. The solid waste from the shops is getting directly discharged into the old storm drainage line which adds to blockage and thus reduces the carrying capacity of the drain,” it said.

It added that Srinagar Smart city has redone the drainage network on the plaza side where no such problem has been faced.

“Shopkeepers have been counselled to desist from the practice of discharging solid waste into drainage lines which blocks the drain and also pollutes the fresh water bodies,” the tweet added.

Last week, the government had faced flack after moderate to intense rainfall triggered flooding in various streets of Srinagar. (UNI)

      As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, is facing a severe shortage of water. The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the region and the mismanagement of resources by the local authorities.

Water is a vital resource for human survival, and its shortage can have dire consequences, particularly in a month where Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The availability of water during this period is of utmost importance, as it is needed for both consumption and purification. However, in Srinagar, the situation is dire, with residents facing long hours without access to clean water.

The primary reason for the water shortage in Srinagar is the mismanagement of resources by the local authorities. The government has failed to adequately address the issue of water scarcity, despite being aware of it for years. Instead, they have focused their attention on other issues, leaving the water crisis to worsen.

In a recent event, the female protesters displaying empty buckets and pitchers blocked the road and disrupted traffic to attract the attention of the concerned authorities in the Batamaloo area of Srinagar city. The scarcity of water in the area is making it difficult for them to get on with their life.

There has been an increase in the events like these that came in the forefront in last couple of months with the difficulties being increased in the Holy month of Ramadan.

The lack of water has severe consequences for the people of Srinagar, especially during Ramadan. The fast is a time of spiritual reflection and increased devotion to Allah, but it is also a time of physical deprivation. Without access to water, Muslims in Srinagar will face increased difficulty in completing their fasts, which can lead to dehydration and other health issues. Moreover, the lack of water also limits their ability to perform ablution, a necessary ritual before prayers.

The situation in Srinagar requires urgent attention from the government and other relevant stakeholders. First, the government must prioritize the provision of clean water to its citizens, especially during Ramadan. This can be achieved by investing in infrastructure and improving the management of water resources. The government should also work with humanitarian organizations to ensure that water is distributed fairly and efficiently.

Finally, it is crucial that the people of Srinagar also take steps to conserve water. Water conservation measures such as fixing leaks, reducing water usage, and recycling wastewater can go a long way in reducing water scarcity. Furthermore, it is essential that people come together to share resources, such as wells and tanks, to ensure that everyone has access to water.

In conclusion, the water shortage in Srinagar during Ramadan is a severe problem that requires urgent attention. The government must prioritize the provision of water to its citizens, work towards resolving the ongoing conflict, and encourage water conservation. Moreover, the people of Srinagar must come together to support one another and ensure that everyone has access to this vital resource. By working together, we can overcome this crisis and ensure that everyone in Srinagar has access to clean water, especially during Ramadan.

SRINAGAR: Residents of Chinar colony in Chak Kawoosa area of Narbal Budgam on Tuesday said that there is no water supply in the area from last six days.

A group of residents from the area told GNS that there is no piped water supply and as such they have to depend on water tankers. “From last six days, no water tanker has been deputed to our area as a result of which we face tremendous difficulties,” the residents said.  

They also alleged that their phone calls and resort to online complaints mechanisms have not yielded any results so far.

“We urge authorities concerned to have some pity and depute water tankers to our area. At least they should imagine difficulties faced by people without water,” the residents said and urged the authorities address the issue on “humanitarian basis.” 

Repeated attempts to contact concerned AEE for comments did not fructify. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: People of Kangan and the adjusting area are in panic after the Sindh river changed its color from blue to milk. 

The Sindh river is the vital water source for the residents of the Kangan area in the Ganderbal district. The changing of water color has caused alarm among the local population. Some residents suspect that the cause of the color change may be chemicals released from tunnel work.

While talking to CNS, a local resident of Kangan Ab Hameed said and expressed deep concern about the presence of chemicals in the river."This water is vital to our community, and we rely on it for so many things. This river Sindh has a rich source of aquatic animals but due to this chemical all aquatic can get damaged", he said.

Another local of Kangan said, “when today I saw the water of river sindh I saw milk-like substance was running on the upper layer of water but The strange smell and color of the water are clear signs that something is wrong, and we need action to be taken before it’s too late".Locals of Kangan said that the Sindh river has always been a source of life for them, and they have always trusted its water to be safe and clean, But now, with the presence of chemicals in the water, they are worried about our health.

Meanwhile, the general public has urged the district Administration to look into this matter at the earliest. (CNS)