Srinagar: An unprecedented dry spell this winter has raised concerns about a potential drought in Kashmir. With only one significant snowfall this season, residents are increasingly anxious about the future.
After a heavy snowfall on December 28, 2024, many hoped for a fruitful summer, but those expectations were shattered by a completely dry January and an equally parched February. Elders in the region express that such a situation is unprecedented in their memory.
Fatima Bibi, 97, from Haripora village in Ganderbal district, lamented, “In my lifetime, I have never seen our village spring with such low water levels. Most outlets have dried up, leaving just one functional source.”
The situation is dire, as many springs in Ganderbal are nearing depletion. The historic Achabal spring in Anantnag district, once celebrated for its beautiful garden established by Empress Noor Jahan in 1620, has dried up, affecting drinking water supplies for over 15 nearby villages. This spring is crucial for irrigating thousands of kanals of paddy land. The Verinag spring, which feeds the Jhelum River, is also experiencing significantly reduced water flow.
The Jhelum River, vital for agriculture and horticulture across Anantnag, Srinagar, Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts, is at risk. The lack of snow has led to the postponement of the ‘Khelo India Gulmarg 2025’ games, as the resort lacks sufficient snow for winter sports, impacting other tourist areas like Sonamarg and Pahalgam as well.
Villages that once relied on perennial springs are now dependent on water tanks provided by the local Jal Shakti department. Unfortunately, many springs in Ganderbal have tested unsafe for drinking due to bacterial contamination, raising health concerns such as jaundice.
The Sindh stream, which flows through Ganderbal district, is also showing signs of drying up. Historically, Kashmir has faced floods rather than droughts, but without adequate rainfall, the region could turn into a parched landscape.
Adding to the concern, unusually high daytime temperatures—nearly 8 degrees Celsius above normal in the past week—are causing premature melting of perennial water reserves and glaciers. Environmental scientist Mansha Nisar warns that without compensatory rainfall in the coming months, the situation could become dire.
In times of past droughts and floods, the people of Kashmir would gather for prayers, seeking divine intervention. Ghulam Mohammad Rather, a 54-year-old farmer from north Kashmir, reflected on the changing spiritual landscape, stating, “Our materialism has made us forget that even with wealth, one can still perish for a drop of water.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has indicated that officials are convening to devise contingency plans, but such measures may prove ineffective if nature continues to respond harshly to the region’s ecological imbalance.