Light Snowfall Brings Relief to Jammu and Kashmir After Extended Dry Spell
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded a 27 percent rainfall deficit between January 1 and October 31, 2024. The ongoing dry spell has further reduced water levels in the Jhelum River and other streams, intensifying water scarcity in parts of Kashmir.
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Data shows that 2024 began alarmingly, with Jammu and Kashmir experiencing a 48 percent rainfall deficit in January and February. The March-May pre-monsoon period recorded a 9 percent shortfall, followed by a 26 percent deficit during the monsoon season. October saw a 74 percent deficit, with some parts of South Kashmir facing shortages exceeding 90 percent.
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Light snowfall on Monday ended the 50-day dry spell in JK. Higher regions such as Kilshay Top, Tulail, Gurez, Gulmarg Phase-2, Doodhpathri, Sinthan Top, Zojila Pass, and Baltal Pahalgam received snowfall, while plains, including Srinagar—the summer capital of J&K—saw light rainfall. Phase-II of Gulmarg reported two inches of snow.
This brief wet spell, due to a weak Western Disturbance, also caused a dip in temperatures.
Independent Weather Forecaster Faizan Arif Keng attributed the low precipitation in JK to the absence of Western Disturbances and an early monsoon retreat. “However, the root cause is climate change driven by global warming, which is making weather patterns increasingly unpredictable. Addressing this challenge requires local, national, and global efforts to control rising temperatures. Unfortunately, current measures fall far short of what’s needed,” he explained.
With the ongoing rainfall deficit and prolonged dry spell, water levels in the Jhelum and other streams have reached historic lows. On November 6 the water level of Jhelum at Sangam was recorded at minus 0.82 feet—the lowest at this station. At Pampore, it was minus 1.75 meters, at Ram Munshi Bagh Srinagar, 1.28 feet, and 1.15 feet at Asham.
Several tributaries of the Jhelum also flowed at record low levels. Vishow Nallah at Khudwani measured 2.31 m, Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi was minus 0.45 m, Lidder Nallah at Batkoot registered 0.61 m, Doodhganga Nallah at Barzulla was 0.02 m, and Sindh Nallah at Doderhama also recorded a low reading.
The prolonged dry spell has affected water supply in Jammu Kashmir, with the Jal Shakti department reporting nearly dry reservoirs.
Chief Engineer Jal Shakti, Vivek Kohli said that water is being supplied twice daily, but added that the flow remains lower than usual due to reduced availability. Kohli also noted that additional water is being provided via tankers where necessary. (KNO)