SRINAGAR: The Jal Shakti department has raised an alarm in the face of a prolonged dry spell affecting Kashmir, resulting in a significant reduction in water levels across the valley.
Chief Engineer of Kashmir Jal Shakti, Sanjeev Malhotra, emphasised the urgent need for a wet spell to replenish water sources.
Malhotra urged people to use water judiciously, noting the partial drying of water bodies has led to a decline in regular portable water supply. “As a precautionary measure, all portable water supply tankers are in alert mode and a state of readiness,” he said.
The situation is under close monitoring, particularly in some North and central Kashmir areas where complaints of water shortages are increasing. Notably, historically abundant water sources, including lakes and rivers, are facing unprecedented challenges, sparking fears of an imminent water scarcity crisis.
An independent weather forecaster in Kashmir reported that the Jhelum River’s water level has hit an all-time low due to the prolonged dry spell. The rivers at Sangam and Asham are flowing at the lowest recorded levels, highlighting the severity of the situation.
“The gauge reading of Sangam at 9 AM was -0.75 ft, and at 7 AM was -0.77 ft,” stated the forecaster, noting that the water levels at Sangam and Asham are at their all-time lowest.
The persistent lack of rainfall and snowfall has led to dwindling water levels in major water bodies like Dal Lake, Wular Lake, and the Jhelum River, posing a significant threat to agriculture as farmers heavily rely on consistent water sources for irrigation.
Environmentalists and experts attribute the prolonged dry spells to climate change, advocating for urgent short-term water conservation measures and long-term climate resilience planning.
Environmental lawyer Advocate Nadeem Qadri called for immediate implementation of a climate policy, underscoring the region’s severe environmental crisis.
“The climate crisis emerging today requires immediate government attention. A missing climate policy on the ground should be urgently addressed,” said Qadri. (KNO)
