Farmers worried as paddy fields turn parched in north Kashmir

A severe water crisis has gripped large swathes of north Kashmir, particularly Sopore, leaving over 40,000 kanals of agricultural land, including the once-thriving villages of Zaloora, Sagipora, Harwan and adjoining areas, completely parched.

- WARIS FAYAZ

With paddy fields drying up amid an intense heatwave, distressed farmers warned of mass suicides if immediate action is not taken by the government.

“We had expectations from the government and the irrigation department, but they've failed us completely. It’s the last stage now. If this continues, we have no other option but to die,” a group of distressed farmers from Sagipora told news agency.

The area’s primary irrigation lifeline, the Lal Koul stream, which originates from Kupwara, has reportedly gone dry, severing the only water supply to thousands of paddy fields.