Paddy fields cracked, farmers distressed in Hassanpora Anantnag due to water shortage
Locals blame R&B construction for blocked irrigation; seek urgent intervention
Anantnag: The paddy fields of Hassanpora in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district lie dry and cracked, with farmers staring at the risk of losing their entire crop season due to the absence of irrigation water.
The locals allege that the water supply was blocked following ongoing construction work undertaken by the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department.
“We have already completed paddy transplantion but our fields are drying up. Cracks have started appearing on the soil,” said Ghulam Rasool Dar, a local farmer. “The canal that feeds our fields has been blocked due to construction work by the R&B. No alternative arrangement has been made.”
The farmers say the problem has persisted for last two weeks, and their repeated pleas have gone unheard.
“We have knocked on every door — from irrigation to local administration — but no one is listening. We appeal to the authorities to look into our genuine grievance before it’s too late,” said Shakeela Bano, another resident, pointing to the dry paddy land behind her.
Locals fear that if the situation continues for a few more days, the whole paddy sapling will dry up and people will have nothing to eat.
“This land is our only source of livelihood. We have already completed transplantation, used fertilizer, and invested our labour. Without water, everything will go to waste,” said Mohammad Yousuf, an elderly farmer of the village.
The villagers are now urging the administration to either restore the blocked canal or arrange an alternative irrigation source without any further delay.
“We request the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag and the concerned departments to personally visit the area and resolve this crisis immediately,” locals said in unison.
