As an exceptional dry spell grips Jammu and Kashmir amidst intense cold, water bodies are hitting rock bottom in Kashmir, raising concerns for the upcoming summer water situation. The weather office forecasts generally dry weather until January 25, exacerbating worries.
The ongoing 40-day-long period of harsh winter cold, known as ‘Chill-i- Kalan,’ commenced on December 21 and is set to persist until January 30. A senior engineer from the Jal Shakti department warns that if the dry spell persists, Kashmir could face a miserable water situation for the summer, as snowfall after Chill-i- Kalan typically fails to replenish the perennial water reservoirs in the mountains.
The implications of reduced snowfall extend to threats to agriculture, visuals, and livelihoods. Tourist hotspots like Gulmarg are experiencing dry conditions, impacting the usual winter charm. Despite the chilling conditions, the dry spell prevails in the Kashmir valley.
Officials report a significant drop in minimum temperatures, resulting in freezing nights and unusually warmer days. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 14.2 degrees Celsius on January 9, which is 8.1 degrees higher than the usual temperature for this time of the year. Surprisingly, Jammu, the winter capital, experienced colder temperatures than Srinagar, with a high of 11.6 degrees Celsius, 6.5 degrees below normal.
Tuesday night saw Srinagar recording a minimum temperature of minus 5 degrees Celsius, down from minus 2.4 degrees Celsius the previous night. Areas like Qazigund, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam also endured cold temperatures during the ongoing ‘Chilla-i-Kalan,’ characterised by a cold wave and freezing conditions.
Jammu recorded its coldest night of the season, with the minimum temperature dropping four notches below normal to settle at 3.4 degrees Celsius, causing disruptions in flight and train schedules due to dense fog. Banihal town along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway emerged as the coldest place in the Jammu region, registering a low of minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Bhaderwah in Doda district at 0.2 degrees Celsius.
Katra, the renowned town in Jammu serving as the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine, recorded a night temperature of 6 degrees Celsius. The situation raises concerns about the impact on the region’s water resources, agriculture, and overall livelihoods in the months to come.
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