Water crisis looming large
Even though a wet spell has hit Jammu and Kashmir, the region still is staring at the possibility of a looming water crisis. The Valley’s lifeline—the River Jhelum continues to flow at low levels following a prolonged dry spell, an alarming rainfall deficit and unusually poor snow accumulation on the surrounding mountain ranges.
The Jhelum rivers low water level was reported last year also when the various irrigation and potable water schemes too faced immense difficulty in lifting water from the river as the levels were abysmally low.
Notably, the Hydrological observations over the past few weeks indicate that the discharge levels in the Jhelum have fallen significantly, a development experts say could have serious implications for irrigation, drinking water supply and aquatic biodiversity if the trend continues into the coming months.
The current winter season has recorded a major rainfall and snowfall deficit across Kashmir. Snow accumulation at many mountain stations is far below normal, which is worrying because this snowpack acts as a natural reservoir that feeds rivers like the Jhelum during spring and summer.
The situation has risen to alarming levels as the MeT predictions on downpour often prove insignificant marking a serious change in weather patterns and downpour schedule in the region.
What is coming as a shock is that the river Jhelum is already flowing at unusually low levels for this time of the year and if the deficit persists, we may see stress on water resources, particularly during the peak irrigation season.
It is only a matter of few weeks that agricultural activities will be kick-started in the Kashmir Valley and the huge paddy fields and orchards need abundant water supply for irrigational and other purposes.
Since winter precipitation has been below normal across most parts of Kashmir valley, the snowfall over higher reaches has also been significantly less compared to the average. This inevitably impacts river flows because much of Kashmir’s hydrology depends on snowmelt.
Environmental observers also warn that persistently low river levels could threaten aquatic ecosystems in the Jhelum basin, which supports several native fish species and wetland habitats.
For now, much depends on the weather systems expected later this spring. But the unusually dry winter and shrinking snow cover have already raised a troubling question across the Valley as Kashmir’s famed waters are beginning to run dangerously thin.
Though some weather activity can be relied on the western disturbances that may be witnessed during the coming weeks, but the recovery from such deficits can be slow if the shortfall remains too large.
As for now the regions agricultural practices also need to be moulded in such a way that crops that are least dependent on water need to be promoted among the rural communities.
This process can at least help the agricultural communities to lessen their stress and financial loses.
