Dry Chillai-Kalan casts shadow on Kashmir’s major water resources

Prolonged dry spell leads to water reduction in rivers, streams; Absence of timely snowfall to impact water availability in times to come, have started curtailment process, our surface water sources not recharged, says CE, Jal Shakti deptt; No weather activity till Jan 16

Srinagar, Jan 09  : The persistent dry spell in Kashmir especially in the peak time of Chillai- Kalan has cast shadow on Kashmir’s major water resources including Jehlum and other streams while the water level in all the surface water sources has registered a significant dip.

Talking exclusively to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti Department Kashmir, Sanjeev Malhotra said that the dry spell has already started impacting the water resources here. “In absence of the timely snowfall and rainfall, the water level in all the surface water sources here have reduced,” he said.

He added that the department has been ensuring adequate water supply to the people by resorting to the curtailments, but certainly it is going to impact in the long run. “The snowfall in Chillai-Kalan is pivotal to have adequate water, but as this period is going on presently on a dry note, it will have a long term effect as well,” he said.

Furthermore, he stated that the snowfall during the peak time of Chilla-Kalan is important as the snowfall after this period will not have sustainability like today’s period.

“Our surface water sources are not getting recharged in absence of the snowfall and rainfall, so the precipitation at this juncture is must to get our sources recharged well in advance for the future months,” he said.

Moreover, the weatherman here has predicted a dry spell till January 16, but added that a few feeble Western Disturbances would affect Jammu & Kashmir after January 16.

“Dry weather would likely continue till 16th Jan with cloudy on 12th evening,” Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO, adding that a few feeble WDs are approaching after 16th Jan.

He added that the maximum over many stations of Kashmir region today was 7-8 degree Celsius above normal while the dense fog over plains of Jammu would likely continue during the next three days.

Pertinently, the parts of Kashmir continued to witness sub-zero temperature amidst the ongoing 40-day harshest winter period, Chillai-Kalan, which commenced on December 21, 2023 and will end on January 31.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded a low of minus 2.4 degree Celsius.

Qazigund, the gateway of Kashmir also recorded a low of minus 2.6 degree Celsius while Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, has recorded a low of minus 4.6 degree Celsius.

Pahalgam, a famous tourist place, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 4.4 degree Celsius. In Kupwara, the mercury settled at minus 4.5degree Celsius while in Kokernag, a minimum temperature of minus 1.2 degree Celsius was recorded—(KNO)