Ramban , Jul 14: Residents of Thathri town in Doda district on Tuesday staged a protest against the Jal Shakti Department, alleging that drinking water supply to several localities has remained disrupted since the devastating cloudburst and flash floods that struck the area on July 7.
A group of residents assembled near the Army RP Gate and raised slogans against the Jal Shakti Department, accusing it of failing to restore water supply to their locality despite repeated representations over the past seven days.
The protesters alleged that they had repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of the department, but were informed by some officials that the pending water bills should be cleared before restoration of the supply.
They said the July 7 cloudburst and flash floods caused extensive damage in Thathri town, affecting around 50 residential houses, an equal number of shops and damaging several vehicles. Following the disaster, the administration had assured the affected residents that essential services, including electricity and drinking water, would be restored on a priority basis.
However, the residents alleged that while electricity has largely been restored, several areas continue to remain without drinking water, causing immense hardship during the prevailing summer heat.
The protesters appealed to the District administration Doda to intervene and direct the Jal Shakti Department to immediately restore the water supply without linking it to the clearance of pending bills.
No official from the Jal Shakti Department was available for comments despite repeated attempts.
