Bandipora, Jan 12(KNB): In a shocking incident, a dead animal, believed to be a jackal, was found in a 4-inch drinking water pipe near the water reservoir at Aloosa, Bandipora. The water reservoir, which is approximately 35-40 years old, supplies water to the local residents.
According to local residents, the dead animal had been inside the water reservoir for at least six months, and they had been consuming the contaminated water without their knowledge.
Mohammad Ramzan, a local resident, expressed his concern, saying, “We don’t know when the animal died, but its condition suggests it has been there for more than six months. We have been drinking that water, and it’s alarming to think about the health risks we’ve been exposed to.”
Residents had reportedly made repeated requests to the concerned department for the upgradation of the water scheme and fencing of the reservoir, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, another local resident, said, “This is not the first time an animal has been found dead in the reservoir. I don’t understand why this scheme is not under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). The roof is broken, and it’s affecting our health.”
When contacted by Kashmir News Bureau, the Executive Engineer Bandipora Jal Shakti assured that he would look into the matter. However, he cited that fencing the reservoir cannot be done immediately as it is an old scheme. He promised to take necessary actions to address the issue.
The discovery has raised serious concerns about the safety and quality of drinking water in the area, and residents are demanding immediate action from the authorities to rectify the situation.(KNB)