No chemical contamination found: DC
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Mar 28: Residents in Ganderbal district of Kashmir are anxious about their water supply, fish stocks, and agriculture after the colour of the Sindh river changed, which they suspect may be due to toxic spillage from tunnel work.
On Monday morning, residents of the area were shocked to discover that the water in a channel that feeds into the main river had turned milky white, with a visible front appearing over the surface. The sudden change in the water’s appearance caused widespread concern among locals, who quickly appealed to the authorities for intervention.
Responding to the residents’ concerns, the district administration promptly took water samples for testing, as residents expressed fears of possible chemical contamination.
The District Magistrate Ganderbal Shymabir Singh told Excelsior that water samples were collected due to fears of chemical contamination in the river. However, laboratory reports have indicated that there were no chemicals found in the water, although the turbidity levels have increased.
“We have advised the public to use water from treatment plants only,” Singh said. He further said that a committee has been established to investigate the matter, and they are waiting for the report’s submission. “We are still uncertain about the causes of this phenomenon, and we await the report for a final assessment of the situation,” he added.
The residents expressed deep concern regarding the presence of chemicals in the river, which serves as a lifeline to their community. They emphasized the importance of the water for their daily needs and highlighted that the strange smell and colour of the water are clear indications of a problem that needs to be addressed urgently.
“This is the worst case of pollution we have ever seen in the river. The water is used by millions of people, and if we do not take action soon, it could have dire consequences. The fish in the river can die, and that is not just an environmental concern as it could also hurt the livelihoods of people who depend on fishing and the many fish farms in the area. Some of these farms have taken out loans to operate, and they could suffer major losses if the situation doesn’t improve,” a local said.
Echoing similar concerns, another resident of the area highlighted the historical significance of the Sindh river as a source of life and trust for their community. The resident expressed worry about the potential health risks posed by the presence of chemicals in the water, not only to themselves but also to their families. “Urgent action is necessary to restore the river to its clean and safe state,” they said.
Many locals have taken to social media to express their concerns about the environmental impact of the drilling and tunnelling taking place in the eco-fragile mountains. They urged the authorities to investigate the matter and take appropriate action to prevent further damage to the region.
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