Jhelum, tributaries record low water levels; springs dry up in south Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 5: As Kashmir heads into winter following prolonged dry spells, water levels in the River Jhelum and several of its tributaries remain low, raising concerns over availability of water in coming months.
Data released by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, reveals that the gauge readings recorded at 9 am on Wednesday showed the water level at Sangam at minus 0.64 feet, while the gauge at Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar recorded 3.80 feet. At Asham in North Kashmir, the water level stood at 1.19 feet, while the Wular Lake level was recorded at 1573.84 metres.
Among the tributaries, Vishow Nallah at Khudwani recorded 2.41 metres, while Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi stood at minus 0.48 metres and Lidder Nallah at Batkoot at minus 0.52 metres. Doodhganga at Barzulla recorded 0.26 metres, while Sindh Nallah at Doderhama stood at minus 0.25 metres.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif said water levels across the Valley were below normal, warning that another prolonged dry spell could aggravate water scarcity, particularly during the winter months.
“Water levels are below normal, and we have a dry spell ahead in Kashmir Valley. This could trigger shortages of drinking water and affect electricity generation, particularly if water availability continues to decline,” he said.
Arif said several local springs in South Kashmir have also dried up following continued dry conditions, adding to concerns over the availability of water for rural communities.
A study published in the journal Frontiers in Water, titled GIS-Based Inventory and Utility Assessment of Spring Resources in the Kashmir Himalaya, has also highlighted growing concerns over the region’s water security.
The study mapped 649 springs across Anantnag and Kulgam districts during field surveys conducted in 2021 and 2022. It found that 76 springs, accounting for 11.7 per cent of those surveyed, were completely dry, while 8.5 per cent were seasonal and the remaining 79.8 percent were perennial.
The research also found that domestic requirements, including drinking, cooking and washing, accounted for the largest share of spring water use. Researchers noted that local communities had reported declining spring discharge and reliability over the preceding five to 10 years, although the absence of long-term hydrological records prevented independent confirmation of these trends.
The findings underline the vulnerability of communities dependent on natural springs, particularly in rural areas where these water sources support both household consumption and agricultural activities.
Meanwhile, the intense and prolonged dry spells that affected Kashmir over recent seasons have temporarily eased, with the region entering the winter transition marked by occasional light precipitation and falling temperatures.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast generally dry weather from November 6 to 9, followed by spells of light to moderate rainfall and snowfall over higher reaches between November 10 and 13.
The department’s figures represent gauge readings at a particular time and should not be confused with seasonal averages or a direct measurement of drinking water availability. However, concerns over declining spring flows and the prospect of further dry periods have brought renewed attention to Kashmir’s water security. (KNO)