New Delhi, Feb. 22 -- Srinagar: Since childhood, Kulsuma, a 40-year-old woman from Kashmir Valley's Kuchmulla hamlet, 45 km from Srinagar, has relied on tap water for drinking as well as irrigating the apple trees in her orchard. However, for the first time in her life, the taps have remained dry for two months this winter.

What was once a simple task of turning on the faucet has turned into an agonising wait, leaving her with nothing but empty pipes. "I never thought I would see this day," Kulsuma said, her voice filled with frustration. "Leave aside the orchards and vegetable gardens that I could easily irrigate with fresh tap water in the past, now we are struggling for even a single drop."

The mother of two now relies on water tanke...