rinagar: Several villages in Shopian district of southern Kashmir valley in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir are facing a severe drinking water crisis and women are forced to fetch water from several kilometers away.

According to Kashmir Media Service, women in various villages, including Saidu, Bannipora, Hajipura and Meminder are carrying water on their shoulders from a distance of about three kilometers every day to meet basic household needs, due to which they are facing severe difficulties.

People say that the shortage of drinking water has disrupted normal life. Residents said the absence of proper supply of drinking water has put families in difficulties and women are facing a crisis. Despite repeated appeals to the authorities concerned, no effective steps have been taken yet for regular supply of water in the area. 

Villagers say access to clean drinking water is a basic need and ignoring the issue for a long time shows administrative apathy. They warn that the situation could worsen if immediate steps are not taken.  Residents of the affected villages have urged the district administration to intervene without further delay and provide a sustainable solution to the water shortage to relieve them from their daily hardships. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)