SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, Oct 31: This October ended with a stark 74 percent rainfall deficit recorded in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, mirroring conditions seen in other parts of the country.
An independent weather forecaster, Kashmir Weather, shared these findings in conversation with Kashmir Despatch.
According to the data, normal rainfall for October is typically around 33.1 mm; however, only 8.7 mm was recorded this month in the UT. The report highlighted that South Kashmir experienced below-normal rainfall ranging from -95% to -100%, while Central Kashmir saw deficits between -85% and -91%. Specifically, Bandipora reported a deficit of -90%, Baramulla at -91%, and Kupwara at -57%.
In the Jammu region, districts such as Doda, Jammu, and Kathua recorded rainfall deficits between -32% and -45%. Most other districts, apart from Samba, experienced deficits ranging from -50% to -97%. Notably, Samba was the only district that saw above-normal rainfall, recorded at +250%.
In Ladakh, the situation was even more severe, with Kargil facing a complete deficit of -100% and Leh reporting an -88% drop. The overall rainfall deficit for Ladakh stood at a concerning -89%.
Looking ahead, the weather forecaster indicated that the next ten days are expected to remain dry, which could lead to further declines in water levels in rivers and streams across the region.
Notably, over the past four months, Jammu and Kashmir has seen a cumulative rainfall deficit of 35 percent, with Shopian topping the list with an 81 percent shortfall in precipitation since June 1, 2024, to September 25, 2024.
Pertinently, Kashmir is currently grappling with drought conditions due to a lack of rainfall, which poses a significant threat to the region’s water supply. As winter approaches, residents are experiencing considerable inconvenience due to a shortage of drinking water. This situation has raised serious concerns among the people. However, the government is actively working to address the challenges brought on by the drought.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
