Sinkhole in south Kashmir kills fish, triggers panic

Samaan Lateef

Srinagar, February 18

A major water stream in south Kashmir has developed a sinkhole, leading to complete disruption of its water flow and large-scale death of trout (fish of salmon family) downstream.

The February 11 incident, affecting the Brengi stream at Wandevalgam in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district, triggered anxiety among people who feared water shortage in the coming months.

The local administration initially tried to fill the sinkhole, but gave it up after realising sinkholes are naturally occurring geological events and pose no immediate danger.

A similar event was reported 27 years ago when it was found that the water of the Brengi stream, which disappeared in the fissures of limestones at Dewalgam, is the real source of the famous Achabal spring in Anantnag.

For scientific understanding of the sinkhole, the government has formed four teams of experts who visited the spot and conducted tests including using a Proton Precession Magnetometer.

Experts believe it to be a natural phenomenon formed due to the gradual chemical dissolution of limestone rocks in the river.

“This is a highly karstified area of the western Himalayas which is vulnerable to such sinkholes,” said Prof Ghulam Jeelani, Head of the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, who is part of the expert team.

“If we are not able to find the outlet of these channels or there is a blockage, it can lead to a sudden burst of water causing localised floods,” Jeelani said.

However, they have suggested geophysical and gravity surveys to ascertain the path of the cavity-underground river system and to prevent any disaster.

Geology Professor Hamidulah Wani of women’s college in Pulwama says there can be several sinkholes in the area but they appear once they collapse fully.

Experts to look into it

• Four teams have been formed to look into the sinkhole in Brengi stream of Anantnag that disrupted water flow and left a large number of fish dead.
• Residents fear it may create water problem in the coming months.

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