Srinagar, Feb 16: Brengi stream in south Kashmir continues to drain into a sinkhole since last several days due to which several kilometres of the stream have dried leaving aquatic species dead.
Brengi one of the many streams known in Kashmir for trout angling. Earlier this week a huge sinkhole developed in the stream draining all water into it.
News agency KNO quoted locals as saying that as the water of the stream drains into the sinkhole, many kilometres of the waterbody downstream have virtually dried up.
They said that during the first two days after sinkhole developed, locals caught trout fishes in kilos, but due to unavailability of water downstream, the aquatic species including small trout fishes have died.
Locals said that during the winters, all the streams and rivers in the Valley have minimum discharge so authorities must take steps to divert water at an earliest.
They added that agricultural land of around 100 villages is dependent on this stream for irrigation purposes and authorities must take immediate steps for diverting water to the stream.
Meanwhile experts believe that it is a natural phenomenon and there is no need to panic.
“Lowering of groundwater levels can cause a loss of support for the soft material in rock spaces that can lead to collapse and changing groundwater gradients. Sometimes water causes loose material to flush out quicker from the voids and the surface to collapse in response,” they said.
“Any change to the hydrologic system (putting more water in or taking it out) causes the system to become at least temporarily unstable and can lead to sinkholes,” they added.
“Sinkholes can also result from seasonal changes in the groundwater table, freeze and thaw of the ground, and extremes in precipitation.”
Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed section 144 around the site of the sinkhole to prevent any mishap; but people continue to throng the area.
Officials said that a team of experts is studying the site to understand the phenomenon and steps are being taken to divert water.
Meanwhile, Tehsildar Kokernag has advised people not to visit near the sinkhole and action will be taken against those who violate government orders.
“It has been observed that despite restrictions being imposed on any assembly of general public or movement of individuals near sinkhole at Wandevalgam (vide order no SDM/Kng/21-22/2245 dated 11.02.2022 of Sub Divisional Magistrate Kokernag) a number of media personnel continue to move close to and into the sinkhole, posing threat to their life. This in turn attracts the general public near the sinkhole which increases the threats to their life as well and makes crowd control difficult for the administration,” reads the circular issued by Tehsildar Kokernag.
“Hence all media personnel are hereby advised and warned not to violate the restrictions imposed around sinkhole,” circular said.
“Action under relevant sections of law shall be taken against anyone found violating the order referenced above.”
