Jammu, June 23 -- Thousands of kanals of paddy land in Pulwama district are at the verge of facing drought as farmers and officials said the water meant for downstream areas of Lar stream is diverted in Shopian by locals and youth for bathing.

Farmers and officials said the youth of Shopian in Tulihalan area in Nagabal, Shopian, divert water by opening the gate of Rambi Ara which decreases water level in Lar stream. The unnecessary opening of the gate has created a drought-like situation in dozens of villages living downstream in Pulwama district. The officials said some cusecs of water have also been diverted to other channels in Shopian for irrigating horticulture land of the district.

Officials in the Agriculture Department said that...