Omar calls for collective effort to combat issue
Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Feb 19: A severe water crisis is unfolding in Kashmir as a persistent rainfall deficit has caused the drying up of several springs and other key water sources, leading to an erratic water supply across the Valley.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO
Residents are already grappling with disrupted water availability due to declining water levels. The drying up of traditional springs in multiple areas has sparked widespread concern over the worsening crisis.
The crisis has been building up over the past few years, but this winter has been particularly alarming. Kashmir has witnessed a 70% rainfall deficit, even during ‘Chillai Kalan’ (December 21 to January 30), the harshest winter period when snowfall and rain typically replenish water reserves. The lack of precipitation has led to water shortages even in winter, an unusual and concerning development.
As a result, several traditional springs have dried up or significantly declined in volume, worsening the crisis. Among the worst affected is Achabal spring in the Mughal Garden of Anantnag, which has almost dried up for the first time, affecting hundreds of villages that depend on it.
Likewise, Bulbul spring in the Newa area of South Kashmir has seen dangerously low water levels, disrupting supply to nearly 30 villages, including Newa, Parigam, Narbal, Harkipora, and Hassanwani. “We used to get six lakh gallons of water from this spring, but now we barely get one lakh gallons-not enough to meet the needs of the residents. The situation is critical,” said a Jal Shakti Department employee.
The crisis extends beyond springs. The Jhelum River, Kashmir’s primary water source, is also flowing at historically low levels. At Sangam, the river stands at just 0.99 feet, impacting water availability, particularly in north Kashmir. Several villages, including Jetty, Dangerpora, Saloosa, Pakipora, and Inderpora, are among the worst affected. “We don’t get enough tap water and rely on tankers, which are never sufficient. We have faced shortages before, but this year is the worst,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a resident of Saloosa.
Excessive sand extraction from the Jhelum River has further worsened the problem. A Jal Shakti Department official warned that uncontrolled mining has altered the river’s morphology, creating deep craters that trap water and forming barriers that restrict natural flow. “The unregulated extraction of sand, particularly using heavy machinery, has led to large craters in some areas, which retain huge amounts of water. Excessive mining has also created unnatural barriers, disrupting the river’s movement,” the official explained.
Amid rising concerns, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to social media platform X to highlight the issue. “J&K is staring at a water crisis this year. It is not a recent phenomenon; it has been building up for a few years now. While the Government must adopt a more proactive approach to water management and conservation, it cannot be a Government-centric effort alone,” Abdullah wrote.
He urged people to rethink their approach to water usage. “I’ll be reviewing the measures the Jal Shakti Department intends to take to address the crisis. Over the next few months, I will also engage with the people of J&K on what we can do collectively,” he added.
Chief Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department, Braham Jyoti Sharma, acknowledged that falling water levels have impacted supply but maintained that the situation is being managed. “The water supply has been affected, but we are deploying water tankers to meet the demand in areas facing acute shortages,” Sharma said.
However, he urged residents to use water judiciously and avoid wastage to prevent further strain on the already depleting resources.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
