I&FC Dept Kashmir clarifies on Water shortage in Kupwara areas & Irrigation water crisis in Lelhar, Pulwama

Srinagar: The I&FC Department Kashmir Saturday issued a detailed clarification and action taken on the news item published by a local Urdu and English dailies on 25 July, 2024 regarding Water shortage in Pahru, Maori, Lolab and Hyhama of Kupwara, besides irrigation water crisis in Lelhara of Pulwama.
In this regard, the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department has issued an official communiqué wherein it has given detailed clarification and action being taken area wise.
As per the official handout, in regard to Pohru and Mavri area, it is submitted that at present there are 15 Number of Lift Irrigation Schemes on Pohru Nallah for providing irrigation water supply to the fields of the area. These schemes have been affected due to abrupt fall in water level in Pohru Nallah due to continuous dry spell, however the water has been diverted at the required level at all locations by constructing cross bunds near all intake points of Khuls and Lift Irrigation Schemes so as to mitigate the problem of framers of the area.
Sometimes due to breakdown of machinery the Lift Irrigation Schemes become non-functional for some days, but efforts are made to restore the damaged machinery at the earliest. At present the farmers of the area are provided irrigation water supply by way of above mentioned remedial measures.
In regard to Lolab and Hyhama area it is reported that most of the area is provided irrigation water supply through rain water harvesting Storage Tanks, which are 54 in the area. At present due to continuous dry spell 50 No. storage tanks have completely depleted and currently only few feet dead storage is remaining in these Storage Tanks, remaining 4 No. Storage Tanks are left with 20% water reserved.
Some areas of Lolab are provided irrigation water supply through 5 No. Lift Irrigation Schemes which are functional at present though water level has decreased in the nallah.
Hyhama area is being fed for irrigation water supply with 2 No. Khuls namely Halimatpora Khul and Kripye Khul which are functional at present, but not carrying sufficient discharge due to abrupt fall in water level of the feeding nallahs. However, the department is trying to maintain irrigation water supply through Warabandi.
Regarding the irrigation water crisis in Lehar of Pulwama, it is being informed that this area is under the scope of LIS Lelhar, which is at present non-functional due to abrupt fall in water level in River Jhelum. Due to fall in water level the water is not coming in the sump tank as a result of which the pumping machinery is non-functional at present. The site conditions are not feasible to divert the river water into the sump.
However, the irrigation water supply is being maintained from LIS Banderpora and LIS Hajibal on Warabandi basis at present, which is not sufficient as per the demand of farmers.
The point of concern at present is the tail portion of above mentioned area which is suffering due to non-functioning of LIS Lelhar. The concerned technical as well as field staff has been directed to ensure required measures for this area under all circumstances.