Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Dec 6: The prevailing dry spell has led to sharp decline in discharge levels of water supply sources across Kashmir.
Chief Engineer Jal Shakti Kashmir, Er. Rakesh Kumar Gupta said, “The persistent dry weather has affected most natural sources feeding the supply lines.”
“Due to the dry spell, our water sources have been affected. Once the rainfall occurs or weather patterns change, these sources will be recharged,” Gupta said.
He said while some areas are facing reduced water flow, the department has intensified its response to maintain supply. “The drinking water supply has got affected a bit, but we are coping with the demand through tanker services.”
Er Gupta also said, the department is in continuous touch with the DCs and Divisional Administration and wherever there is a need, tankers are being provided. “There is no major shortage or crisis situation as of now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif Keng said, Kashmir is currently witnessing unusually low water levels across its rivers and springs, raising concerns among farmers, environmentalists and local communities.
“Water levels in the Jhelum, its tributaries, and several springs across Kashmir have dropped sharply because we haven’t seen any strong Western Disturbance in the last nearly 40 days,” he said.
“Whatever systems did arrive were very weak and failed to bring the kind of rainfall or snowfall needed to sustain the rivers. Without a proper weather system, the natural recharge has slowed down significantly and that’s why we are seeing such low flows everywhere,” added Faizan.
