No end to winter vagaries

The winter vagaries are seemingly increasing for the people of Jammu and Kashmir as the prolonged dry spell led to the reduction in water level in all the major water bodies, the government has now decided to go ahead with the further power curtailments in the valley. The government has stated that due to a drastic reduction in power generation resulting in reduced availability of power, KPDCL shall be forced to temporarily increase the curtailment by 2 to 2.5 hours across Kashmir Valley during peak hours. The temporary increase shall be reversed as soon as sufficient power is available. However, such a situation is set to end up in hardship for the people as the already chilly winter nights would further push them to the wall as the power curtailments would be increased by 2 to 2.5 hours a day across the region. This is the outcome of the prolonged dry spell that has been going on amidst the 40-day harshest winter period, Chillai-Kalan, which commenced on December 21, 2023 and will culminate on January 31, 2024. Unlike this year, Kashmir would witness frequent snowfall and rainfall, which helps in recharging the water bodies, glaciers and other things. It is the time, when the people, who are involved in loot of natural resources that are the outcome of climate change, should stop indulging in such practices so that the things that have changed over the years can be reversed and the possible difficult situation due to the changing climatic scenario can be averted well on time.