SRINAGAR: More than ten years after the devastating 2014 floods submerged vast areas of Jammu and Kashmir, farmers in the southern districts of Pulwama and Shopian continue to bear the brunt of the disaster, with a critical irrigation siphon destroyed during the floods still unreconstructed.
The Chenab Times has learned that the damaged siphon, situated in Rakh village of Pulwama, was an integral component of a canal network that channelled irrigation water from the Ranbiara rivulet to extensive agricultural lands. Its destruction during the catastrophic floods severed a vital water supply line for hundreds of farmers, leaving significant tracts of farmland inadequately irrigated.
Despite the passage of a decade and numerous appeals from local residents, the siphon has not been rebuilt. This prolonged neglect has severely hampered agricultural productivity across multiple villages, including Rakh, Zahidbagh, Darbagh, Naina, Batpora, and Watchi, spanning both Pulwama and Shopian districts, over the past several years.
Farmers have voiced their distress, stating that the absence of the siphon has critically undermined irrigation efforts, particularly during essential farming seasons. The collapse of the siphon has also led to the deterioration of the associated canal system, with several sections now serving as informal dumping grounds for waste.
Residents have alleged that the ongoing neglect has not only disrupted irrigation but has also contributed to local environmental degradation. While authorities did facilitate the restoration of road connectivity by constructing an alternative bridge near the site of the damaged siphon, the crucial irrigation infrastructure remains unaddressed. Villagers questioned the priority given to vehicular access over the essential water needs of their farmlands.
To provide some relief, a pump shed was installed as a temporary measure. However, farmers have described its functionality as unreliable and largely ineffective. Abdul Hamid from Batpora explained that the pump operates sporadically, is heavily dependent on an inconsistent electricity supply, and when functional, the water pressure is often insufficient to reach fields located further away.
Nisar Ahmad from Zahidbagh corroborated these concerns, highlighting that repeated representations to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department have failed to yield any tangible results. He stated, “For the past ten years, we have been hearing assurances, but nothing has changed on the ground. We need action, not promises.”
The farmers reported significant crop damage in recent years due to the crippled irrigation facilities, as the temporary pump sheds have proven inadequate to meet the agricultural water demand.
An official from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department acknowledged the protracted delay in reconstruction. The official stated that a comprehensive project to rebuild the siphon and reinstate the canal system had received approval several years ago but could not be implemented due to unspecified complications. The official added, “We are aware of the seriousness of the problem. The project is still in the pipeline, and work is expected to commence soon. As of now, they have been managing through pump stations till permanent arrangements are made.”
The Chenab Times News Desk