Free water tankers will be provided to affected areas in the valley. (image-X/waseemahmad1823)
Srinagar: A severe water crisis looms over the valley. Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing an unprecedented environmental crisis as temperatures soar and rainfall decreases with depleting groundwater levels. As a result, water bodies, glaciers, and rivers in the valley are drying up. The situation appears to worsen in the future.
The Dwindling Jhelum
For the first time in history, Achabal Mughal Garden Spring in South Kashmir, a major source for 15 villages and a contributor to the Jhelum River, has dried up completely.
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Varinag Spring also recorded a 40 percent drop in water levels. As a result, Jhelum has reached its lowest-ever flow level of -0.75 feet at Sangam Point and 3.73 feet at Munshi Bagh in Srinagar.
Naturally, farmers have been affected the most. The land is dried up, and drinking water is scarce. Agriculture is the backbone of the local economy.
Lack of sufficient rainfall has led to reduced crop yields, and irrigation systems are struggling to meet the demand, a farmer from southern Pulwama district told Deccan Herald.
Reasons Behind the Growing Water Scarcity?
A combination of climatic shifts and unusual weather phenomena has caused lower-than-expected rainfall throughout 2024.
Jammu and Kashmir experienced its lowest precipitation in over five decades in 2024, surpassing the 50-year low recorded in 1974. Last year, rainfall levels dropped to 870.9 mm in 2024, a sharp drop of 29 percent.
Rainfall of 1146.6 mm was recorded in 2023, while in 2022, rainfall of 1040.4 mm was recorded.
Keeping climate change in mind, the trend is expected to continue in the future.
Although a fresh, active Western Disturbance (WD) is expected to bring rain and snow in the region on February 20, it will not be enough to reverse the precipitation deficit, which is well over 80 percent, observed experts.
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Government Action
In response, the government has announced a free water tanker service for areas facing acute shortages in Jammu.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed the issue and said, “J&K is staring at a water crisis this year. It’s not a recent phenomenon; actually, it’s been building up for a few years now.”
Calling for a hands-on approach by citizens as well, he said, “While the government will have to adopt a more proactive approach for water management & conservation, it can’t just be a government-centric approach. All of us residents of J&K will have to change the way we take water for granted. I’ll be reviewing the measures the Jal Shakti (PHE) Dept intends to take to deal with the developing crisis, & I’ll also be talking to the people of J&K over the next few months about what we can do collectively.”
J&K is staring at a water crisis this year. It’s not a recent phenomenon, actually it’s been building up for a few years now. While the government will have to adopt a more proactive approach for water management & conservation, it can’t just be a government centric approach. All…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 19, 2025
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During a meeting chaired by Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, the government directed officials to conduct on-ground assessments of water-deficient areas to formulate supply plans. Free water tankers will be provided to affected areas, with the remaining localities set to be covered under the Jal Jeevan Mission and other water supply schemes.
