The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, Kargil, has restored drinking water supply in most flash flood-affected areas of the district through temporary arrangements while permanent restoration works are being carried out on a war footing.

The recent flash floods caused extensive damage to infiltration galleries, collection chambers, pipelines and headworks, disrupting gravity-based water supply schemes in several villages. Despite the challenging conditions, the department, with the support of local communities and field staff, restored potable water supply by deploying submersible pumps, temporary pipeline connections, water tankers, Tata Mobile water carriers and by reviving old water supply schemes wherever feasible.

At Latoo, the old water supply scheme has been restored, making all four public stand posts functional. However, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) water supply remains suspended due to silt accumulation in the sluice chamber, and restoration work is in progress.

At Budgam and Karkitchoo, where infiltration galleries were severely damaged, drinking water is being supplied through submersible pumps, temporary pipelines and water-lifting arrangements from nearby springs.

Under the Right Sub-Division, temporary water supply has been arranged in Choskore through submersible pumps, water tankers and Tata Mobile water carriers. In Shakar, emergency water supply is being provided to Shanchey, Amzet, Gorongspang and Sapi, while restoration of collection chambers and pipelines continues. Three Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) have already been restored.

At Silmoo, temporary water supply is being maintained through tankers and Tata Mobile water carriers, while seven water supply schemes and the village submersible pump have already been restored.

In Yokma Kharboo, water is being supplied through Tata Mobile water carriers, while damaged pipelines and collection chambers are being repaired. Two of the four Functional Household Tap Connections have already been restored.

Under the Left Sub-Division, water supply has been restored in Nagma Kussar through submersible pumps. At Thang Dumbur, five habitations are receiving water through the restored old water supply scheme, while six others are being served through submersible pumps.

At Fraith Khalamarpo, the old water supply scheme has been restored in all four habitations, supported by a newly commissioned solar-powered submersible pump.

In Purthikchey Thangboo, the Jal Jeevan Mission pipeline has been restored across all three habitations, while restoration work continues.

At Thilla Brok, the existing water supply scheme has been temporarily restored, and the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme has resumed nearly 80 per cent of its capacity. In Khouws, the existing scheme has been restored and the JJM scheme revived to nearly 50 per cent capacity following damage to the collection chamber and pipelines.

At Stakpa, Sankoo, both the existing and Jal Jeevan Mission schemes have been temporarily restored, with water currently being supplied on a rotational basis. In Thasgam, four habitations have received restored water supply, while the remaining are being served through Tata Mobile water tankers.

The department has also temporarily restored the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme in most habitations of Sangrah Thang, while alternative arrangements have been made for the remaining affected households. Similar temporary drinking water arrangements have been put in place at Youljuk Maita, Kharchay Khar, Stainkung, and Printee Panikhar, where damaged pipelines and collection chambers are being repaired.

At Kargee, although the water supply scheme remains functional, permanent restoration of infrastructure damaged by an avalanche will be undertaken shortly.

The PHE Department stated that restoration work is progressing round the clock with men and machinery deployed at multiple sites despite difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions. It also expressed gratitude to local residents for their cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring all damaged water supply schemes at the earliest while ensuring uninterrupted access to safe drinking water for affected communities.