Drinking water supply across most villages restored: PHE
KARGIL: The Kargil administration on Wednesday intensified its flood recovery operations, with Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd. Jaffer Akhoon, directing all departments to restore drinking water supply, irrigation facilities, road connectivity and other essential services on priority, even as the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department restored drinking water to most flash flood-affected villages through temporary arrangements while permanent repairs continue.
The directions came during Dr. Akhoon’s inspection of the flood-affected villages of Silmo, Karkitchoo and Karkit Budgam Haral, where he reviewed the extent of damage and the progress of relief and restoration works along with Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh Kumar, Executive Councillor Altaf Hussain, Councillor Feroz Khan, senior engineers and heads of line departments.
Interacting with residents, the CEC assessed damage to residential houses, agricultural land, apricot orchards, irrigation canals, drinking water supply schemes, roads, electricity infrastructure, communication networks, livestock and other public assets. He directed the Revenue Department, Block Development Office (Soudh) and other line departments to conduct a comprehensive assessment of losses and submit reports on priority to facilitate compensation under the prescribed government norms.
Reviewing restoration measures, Dr. Akhoon instructed the PHE Department to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply by deploying temporary surface pipelines and submersible pumps until damaged infrastructure is permanently restored. He also directed the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department to expedite repairs to damaged irrigation canals to safeguard the ongoing crop ripening season and minimise agricultural losses.
Meanwhile, the PHE Department said it has already restored temporary drinking water supply in most flood-affected areas of the district, where gravity-based water supply systems were disrupted after flash floods damaged infiltration galleries, collection chambers, headworks and distribution pipelines.
Emergency arrangements, including submersible pumps, temporary pipeline connections, water tankers, Tata Mobile water carriers and the revival of old water supply schemes, have enabled the restoration of potable water in villages including Latoo, Budgam, Karkitchoo, Choskore, Shakar, Silmoo, Yokma Kharboo, Nagma Kussar, Thang Dumbur, Fraith Khalamarpo, Purthikchey Thangboo, Thilla Brok, Khouws, Stakpa, Thasgam, Sangrah Thang, Youljuk Maita, Kharchay Khar, Stainkung, Printee Panikhar and Kargee.
The restoration comes days after flash floods severely damaged infiltration galleries, collection chambers, headworks and distribution pipelines, disrupting gravity-based water supply schemes across several villages. To minimise disruption, the department mobilised submersible pumps, temporary pipeline connections, water tankers, Tata Mobile water carriers and revived old water supply schemes wherever feasible to ensure the continued availability of potable water.
According to the department, emergency drinking water supply has been restored in a majority of the affected locations, including Latoo, Budgam, Karkitchoo, Choskore, Shakar, Silmoo, Yokma Kharboo, Nagma Kussar, Thang Dumbur, Fraith Khalamarpo, Purthikchey Thangboo, Thilla Brok, Khouws, Stakpa, Thasgam, Sangrah Thang, Youljuk Maita, Kharchay Khar, Stainkung, Printee Panikhar and Kargee, while permanent repairs continue across the district.
In Latoo, the old water supply scheme has been revived, restoring all four public stand posts, although the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme remains under restoration after its sluice chamber was filled with silt and clay. In Budgam and Karkitchoo, where infiltration galleries sustained extensive damage, temporary pumping arrangements have ensured the continuation of drinking water supply until permanent infrastructure is rebuilt.
The department said restoration of Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) is progressing in several villages, with engineering teams replacing damaged pipelines, repairing collection chambers and reconstructing headworks. Officials noted that intermittent rainfall could affect the pace of work at certain locations but said restoration activities were continuing without interruption.
Reaffirming its commitment to restoring all damaged water supply schemes, the PHE Department said field staff, supported by heavy machinery, remained deployed round the clock despite difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions. It also acknowledged the cooperation of local communities, whose assistance has contributed to the rapid restoration of essential drinking water services in the flood-affected areas.
