Siphon damaged in 2014 floods remains unrestored in south Kashmir
‘Canal connected by this siphon turns into dumping site’
Pulwama: Nearly a decade after the catastrophic 2014 floods ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, a critical siphon bridge—once the backbone of an extensive irrigation network in south Kashmir—remains in ruins.
The structure, which played a pivotal role in supplying water to agricultural lands across Pulwama and Shopian districts, has not been reconstructed, leading to the canal’s degeneration into an open garbage dump.
Residents of Darbagh in Shopian and Zahid Bagh in Pulwama said that the canal, once a lifeline for thousands of kanals of fertile farmland, has remained dysfunctional ever since the siphon was washed away by the deluge.
Despite repeated pleas and protests, authorities have failed to restore the vital infrastructure.
“In May 2020, the administration attempted a temporary fix by laying down an alternative pipeline to reroute water into the Ranbiara River. However, the pipes were too narrow, and barely a trickle made it through. That solution collapsed within days,” said Shabir Ahmad, a local resident.
The canal now lies in a state of neglect—its bed dry and clogged with stagnant domestic wastewater. Over time, it has become a dumping ground for plastic, polythene, and even hazardous medical waste. “The stench is unbearable. It’s heartbreaking to see what was once a clean waterway turned into a health hazard,” Shabir added.
Gulzar Ahmad, another local, expressed concern over the looming threat of waterborne and communicable diseases. “Wild cannabis overtake the canal banks, and the filthy water poses a serious risk to public health. We fear that if no action is taken soon, it may lead to a serious outbreak.”
Residents say that although a portion of the canal was cleaned around two years before but the absence of sustained maintenance and unchecked dumping have rendered the effort futile.
“Our demands have fallen on deaf ears. What we need is a permanent and comprehensive solution, not just cosmetic cleaning,” they lamented.
Officials from the Irrigation Department acknowledged the situation, stating that cleaning is being done in phases. “We are aware of the problem and are working to address it gradually.
However, we also urge the public to refrain from using the canal as a dumping site, as it has long-term ecological and health consequences,” an official said.
He said that as of now few lift irrigation schemes have been constructed to irrigate the area while the construction of siphon is under consideration but hasn’t been taken as of now due to many reasons.
