Ehsaan Yousf/ JK News Live
Ganderbal, May 21: Farmers in Saloora, a prominent village in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, are facing a severe crisis due to an acute shortage of water for paddy cultivation. The lifeline of the region’s agricultural economy is under threat as irrigation channels remain dry and authorities appear slow to respond.
Paddy, the main crop of the region, requires a constant supply of water during the sowing and early growth stages. However, farmers in Saloora say they have been unable to transplant their paddy saplings due to the lack of irrigation water. The shortage has created panic among locals who fear a drastic fall in yield this season.
“We depend entirely on agriculture, and without water, we are helpless,” said a local farmer. “The canal that brings water to our fields has been dry for days, and there is no clear response from the irrigation department.”
Residents allege that despite repeated appeals, officials have not taken any concrete steps to restore water supply. Some attribute the problem to poor maintenance of irrigation canals and an absence of pre-season planning.
Local representatives have also voiced concern and called for urgent action. As the region battles both climate unpredictability and administrative delays, the people of Saloora wait anxiously for relief.
