Water security a permanent priority

Amidst the intense heatwave, a parallel crisis of water scarcity has once again gripped the Valley, leaving thousands of households struggling to meet even their most basic needs. What should have been a season of resilience and adaptation has instead turned into one of helplessness and hardship for many. The persistent water crisis in Kashmir is not a sudden or isolated phenomenon. It is a symptom of deeper, long-standing issues: inadequate infrastructure, mismanagement of water resources, shrinking glaciers and changing climate patterns. Every summer, the taps run dry, people queue for hours at tankers and agricultural fields thirst for irrigation, yet meaningful solutions remain elusive. Kashmir, often referred to as the ‘water tower’ of North India due to its abundant rivers, springs and glaciers, is paradoxically witnessing water scarcity at the peak of summer. The reasons are as structural as they are environmental. Glacial melt, once predictable, is now erratic due to rising temperatures. Springs that once gushed with cold, clean water are drying up. Meanwhile, a growing population and unplanned urban sprawl have placed immense pressure on already fragile water systems. What worsens the crisis is the inadequate and aging infrastructure. Many water supply lines are decades old, riddled with leaks, and incapable of meeting rising demand. Amid these challenges, the role of governance and public accountability cannot be overlooked. Delayed projects, lack of investment in modern water management systems, and poor coordination between departments have only exacerbated the issue. Temporary solutions, like water tankers, offer brief relief but no long-term answer. As climate change accelerates and heatwaves become more common in Kashmir, water security must be treated not as a seasonal issue but as a permanent priority. Conservation, rainwater harvesting, repair and upgrade of supply networks and revival of traditional water sources need to become central to planning and policy.