Srinagar, 26 May (H.S.): An acute water shortage has hit the twin villages of Muqamia and Yahama in the Handwara’s Mawer area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, causing major inconvenience and hardship for the residents.

Locals lament that both villages have been grappling with a water crisis for years. Despite Government claims of providing piped water to every household under various schemes, these areas still lack access to potable water. “The Government keeps boasting about connecting every household with tap water, but we are yet to receive a single drop,” a resident said.

In the absence of a functional water supply system, women from both villages are forced to travel deep into nearby forests to fetch water from natural streams, putting their lives at risk. “Getting a pot of water can cost us our lives, as we have to walk into the forest to fetch water from local streams. With the rise in man-animal conflict in the area, we are constantly at risk of encountering wild animals,” another woman said.

Residents expressed deep resentment against the local Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), accusing him of making empty promises and failing to address basic infrastructure needs. “We have been suffering for years. Even in 2025, we are walking miles for something as basic as drinking water,” another local said.

The residents have now appealed to the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, seeking immediate intervention. “We only seek essentials-clean water and motorable roads,” the residents said.

Angered by years of neglect, the residents of Muqamia and Yahama have threatened to launch a strong protest against the Jal Shakti Department if immediate action is not taken. “If they fail to act this time, we, along with our children, will hit the roads in protest. The Government will be responsible for the consequences,” warned a group of locals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar