Advance planning needed
As Kashmir is facing one of its driest early winters in recent times, the impact seems quite huge as the regions glaciers have witnessed shrinkage. The higher reaches that normally receive early snow in November and December remain bare, and experts say this absence of snow is causing direct harm to the Valley’s fragile glacier systems.
Weather data shows that Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a 45–60 percent deficit in snowfall and precipitation this season. In many high-altitude areas, the early winter snowpack is almost missing, leaving glacier surfaces uncovered and vulnerable.
Notably, snow plays three key roles: it protects the glacier from sunlight, keeps temperatures stable, and adds new layers of ice. When snowfall is delayed, glaciers are left without this natural shield.
Long-term studies show worrying numbers. Several glacier basins in Kashmir have lost 5–6 percent of their total area over the last two decades. Some glaciers are retreating by 10–20 metres each year. Experts believe that a snowless or low-snow winter will only accelerate this decline.
Since the early dry winter has become a regular phenomenon since past many years now, early signs of stress are already appearing across the region. Water levels in glacier-fed streams are lower than usual for December. Rural springs in districts like Kupwara, Anantnag and Budgam and elsewhere are showing reduced discharge. The extended dry spell is also affecting soil moisture in orchards and fields.
Farmers are worried that a weak winter will hit apple production and paddy fields next year. Hydropower projects may also face irregular water flow during summer, as they depend heavily on steady glacier melt.
Environmental experts warn that the absence of snow also raises risks of sudden disasters. Without snow, glacier ice melts faster, filling glacial lakes more quickly. This can make them unstable.
Surprisingly, the situation has turned so grave that during the past few years many Nallas and streams like the Bringi Nallah dried up completely. Besides, many natural springs that existed in abundance, dried up creating a scare among the people. The famed Achabal Spring also faced a drought this year but later it resurfaced.
The indications that have been surfacing over the years point out to the fact that we need to get ready and be prepared to face the situation and help ourselves to lessen the impact the situation can have on our very survival.
As Kashmir waits for its first major snowfall, the stakes continue to rise. The longer the mountains stay snowless, the more damage the glaciers suffer. And the future of water, farming and daily life in the Valley depends heavily on these shrinking reserves of ice.
Importantly, the crisis we seem to be headed for cannot be fought by the government alone. People in general and the authorities as well need to plan a schedule across all districts so that people are made aware about the water shortfall we are experiencing year on year.
The thrust needs to be on water conservation and preserving whatever little we can for exploiting it to our use as and when the need arises. The future seems to be quite tough and can bring in huge changes in the overall topography of the region.
By planning in advance we can reduce the impact of climate change to a level that we can sustain.
