No water shortage as of now, snow melting helps in tackling situation: Jal Shakti Dept
Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jan 24 : Amid an ongoing deficit in rainfall and declining water levels in the river Jhelum and its tributaries, the melting of snow in higher altitudes has provided a much-needed lifeline for the Jal Shakti Department (JSD) to maintain drinking water supplies.
According to data obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the water level in the Jhelum River has slightly increased but remains low overall. At Sangam, the Jhelum is currently flowing at -0.91 feet, while at Ram Munshi Bagh, it is at 3.56 feet, and at Asham, it measures 0.78 feet.
The situation has been exacerbated by a rainfall deficit. From January 1 to January 22, Jammu and Kashmir recorded only 11.4 mm of precipitation, compared to the average of 60.5 mm for the period—a shortfall of 81%.
Despite the deficit rainfall, the melting of snow in the upper reaches, spurred by a rise in temperatures, has eased the crisis.
Chief Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department, Braham Jyoti Sharma, confirmed that snowmelt has played a crucial role in maintaining the water supply.
“There is no shortage of drinking water as the melting of snow has helped ensure adequate supply to consumers,” Sharma told KNO.
He added that while the rainfall deficit persists, the melting of recent snowfall has mitigated its impact—(KNO)
