Dry spell causes water scarcity in Torghar

MANSEHRA: The prolonged dry spell in the erstwhile in Torghar has caused water scarcity as most of the streams and fountains have dried up.

“This is happening for the first time in decades that most of the streams and fountains which are major sources of water supply to local settlements have dried up due to the prolonged dry spell in our district,” Umarul Rasheed, chairman of the Dda Banda village council, told reporters on Sunday.

Women and children from Jabara, Halima, Dda Banda, Payando and neighbouring villages in Dor Mera tehsil of district fetch water in canisters and utensils from far-off areas carrying them on their heads and backs. The tribesmen led by Umarul Rasheed said that the water scarcity situation was worsening with each passing day.

“We have been expecting downpours since the start of winter in November last year, but only light rain has fallen two or three times, fading our hopes,” he said.The chairman added that apart from local settlements cattle and sheep were also badly affected by the water shortage. “Would you believe that local boys and girls spend hours fetching water from far-off areas, which adversely affects their education,” Rasheed said.

Another local resident, Rubnawaz Khan, said that lawmakers were not taking the water crisis seriously.“The existing water supply schemes, which were installed by locals on a self-help basis, have also dried up. Unfortunately, local lawmakers have ignored this burning issue in our district,” he added. Khan urged the government to ensure the revival of dried-up water supply schemes saying that if the issue remains unresolved locals will take to the streets in protest.