Snowless Winter: Water level in Aripal spring depletes further
Residents suffer severe drinking water shortage
Pulwama: The water crisis in south Kashmir’s Tral region has deepened as the Aripal Spring — a major source of drinking water for dozens of villages — continues to show critically low water levels, leaving residents struggling for potable water and questioning the effectiveness of on-going water supply schemes.
For weeks, locals have observed a steady decline in the spring’s discharge, with the natural source now reduced to a trickle in many spots. Historically dependable even in winter, Aripal Spring’s waters have dropped dramatically over the past months, mirroring similar declines in other traditional springs across the Kashmir Valley, locals said.
Public Health Engineering (PHE) officials said that the spring’s depletion began in December and, despite recent precipitation events in higher regions the water level has not recovered.
The continued low flow has impacted at least six local water supply schemes that draw water directly from the spring, with some functioning only partially due to insufficient water volume.
“The flow reduces slowly, then one morning the spring just stops. We cannot afford to wait for that moment again,” said Muhammad Ashraf, a resident of Aripal, highlighting the anxiety gripping the community as water taps run drier each day.
Another resident, Shabir Ahmad from nearby Newa village, recalled how the Bulbul Spring — once a perennial source — dried up for the first time last year, triggering an acute crisis for dozens of neighbouring settlements.
“If this weather continues like this, the story will repeat,” Ahmad said, expressing fear that more springs will fail unless urgent action is taken.
Locals further allege that while water supply schemes under government programmes like the Jal Shakti and related infrastructure have been launched, many are now operational only on paper — their capacity crippled by the lack of consistent natural water discharge from springs such as Aripal.
“Water tankers can never replace a natural spring,” said Rafiqa, a woman from Tral, underscoring the limitations of short-term relief measures.
Officials from the Jal Shakti Department and PHE have acknowledged the situation but contend that efforts are underway to manage water distribution, including the deployment of tankers to the worst-affected locations.
They said the overall water table across the region has declined due to prolonged dry conditions, and authorities are exploring backup options to ensure supply continues.
The officials added that schemes are functional partially and they are not in position to provide water as they used to.
“The frequent dry spells and changing precipitation patterns are contributing to the weakening of Kashmir’s once-reliable springs, making longer-term conservation strategies essential to prevent recurring crises,” officials said.
Residents are now urging the administration to fast-track sustainable water solutions, including rainwater harvesting, recharge structures, alternative borewell connections, and better maintenance of existing schemes to ensure that dependence on a single spring does not translate into repeated hardships.
