Women forced to trek three kilometres daily for water in multiple hamlets of South Kashmir’s Shopian

Shopian, Jan 28, KNT: A severe drinking water crisis has hit multiple hamlets of South Kashmir’s Shopian, forcing inhabitants, particularly women, to fetch water from sources nearly three kilometres away for the past seven days.

Women in these villages including Sedow, Bemnipora, Hajipora, Memandar have been carrying water on their shoulders daily, braving harsh conditions to meet basic household needs. The situation has caused widespread distress, with locals saying the lack of potable water has disrupted normal life and added to their hardship.

Inhabitants said the absence of an adequate drinking water supply has left families struggling, with women bearing the brunt of the crisis. Despite repeated appeals to the concerned authorities, no effective steps have been taken so far to restore regular water supply in the area.

Villagers said access to safe drinking water is a basic necessity and prolonged neglect of the issue reflects administrative apathy. They warned that the situation could worsen if immediate measures are not taken.

The inhabitants of affected villages have urged the district administration to intervene without delay and provide a sustainable solution to the water shortage to relieve them from the daily ordeal. [KNT]