Helmand: Residents of Washir district lament lack of potable water

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Some residents of the Washir district of southern Helmand province say most of the district’s canals had dried up and they are facing shortage of potable water.

Mohammad Musa, a resident of Grezwan area, told Pajhwok Afghan News that not only there was lack of water to irrigate crops, but people also face shortage of clean drinking water.

According to him, people are fetching water long-distance areas via motorcycles, bicycles and on the back of animals.

Abdul Baqi, a resident of Folad area of the district, also said that the canals had dried up and they were facing lack of drinking water.

He urged the government to provide them with clean drinking water.

On the other hand, government officials also acknowledge the lack of water in canals and say they have taken the issue up to central government.

Maulvi Abdul Hakim Sajjid, financial and administrative manager of the district, told Pajhwok that people were telling the truth most of the canals had dried up.

He said the government officials had vowed to address the issue.

Meanwhile, director of river basin, Mohammad Fridon, also acknowledged the water shortage in Washir district and saying that efforts are underway to solve this problem as soon as possible.

He added that eight check dams had been surveyed in the district and the construction work would be launched.

“Technical survey of the eight check dams in Karakan, Gulbaida, Ajram, Shah Mirza, Chadaraz, Lundak, Noda and Duzak areas have been completed and the construction work will start after the allocation of budget,” he explained.

On the other hand, rural and development director, Mullah Mahmood Sani said the underground level of water decreased in the many area people are facing with shortage of water

He said the government was striving to build dams for the people in all areas possible.

He added in the last 12 months they had provided 18 potable water networks in Musa Qala, Nawzad, Kajaki, Sangeen and Greshk districts.

kk/sa

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