Water scarcity is a significant global issue characterized by the lack of sufficient available freshwater resources to meet the demands of a region or its population. As we know climate change threatens water supplies around the world, Jammu and Kashmiris no exception to this aspect also. The winter of 2023–2024 was the driest on record, with major cities in the region including the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir – Srinagar recording their hottest winter in 18 years. To elaborate the impact of climate change, we can easily assess that the Himalayas which span over 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) across South Asia, is a home of over 50 million people which provides water to 2 billion people in a region. The communities around it rely on Himalayan glacier water for drinking water, energy and agriculture. But, nowadays, this vital resource is under the grave threat! It has been observed worldwide that due-to climate change, the temperatures are rising and precipitation is declining. The snowand rainfall that normally build up the glaciers in wintertime are insufficient to make up for the summer melt. This aspect has caused the glaciers to shrink, threatening the downstream communities that rely on the summer flows. According to an analysis by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information, 2023 saw the warmest global temperatures since records began. The heat has put strain on water resources across the world and the Himalayas are also no exception to this environmental issue. To talk more about this, the another research conducted by the Geological Survey of India along with Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geologylast year revealed that the Kolahoi glacier has lost 23% of its area since 1962 and has now fragmented into small parts. This glacier is the main source of the Jhelum Riverwhich originates in Jammu and Kashmir and waters flow throw a part of the Punjab region of Pakistan also. To talk about the Valley which lies between the Himalayan slopes, Jammu and Kashmir is among those regions of the South Asia which is also experiencing hardship due to climate change. In 2023, the summer capital of J&K – Srinagar recorded its hottest June in 18 years. On June 23, it witnessed a peak of 35.0° C (95° F). On the same day, Qazigund recorded its second-highest temperature in 33 years at 34.2°C (93.6° F). Similarly, other well-known tourist destinations like Kokernag and Pahalgamalso broke records last June. Apart from this, in the winter of 2023–2024, the vital annual rainfall was feeble. The Kashmir Meteorological Department last year recorded Srinagar’s driest January in 58 years. Besides the annual “Chillai-Kalan” the traditionally harsh 40-day winter period ending on January 29, saw the driest conditions in Srinagar since 2015 which ultimately leads Kashmir to the all times high drinking water scarcity. Now, if we compare the last year’s temperature with this year, we can undoubtedly say that all previous records have now been broken as the Valley recorded its highest temperature at 36.0° C in this very month i.e. July, 2024. Moreover, the analysis of preliminary data from the ERA5 dataset has revealed that July 21, 2024 was the hottest day in Earth’s recorded history, with an average global surface air temperature of 17.09°C. While counting the impacts of climate change in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Kashmir Valley, we can clearly come across a severe heatwavegripping the whole valley in it and at the same time, aggravating the valley’s water scarcity, leading to public demonstrations at some places and during demonstrations, the citizens in various districts demands immediate government intervention to provide water to them through tankers as traditional sources of dry up. This crisis though not unprecedented, has underscored Kashmir’s vulnerability to extreme weather conditions. During the current month, people must have witnessed to the fact that the valley’s temperature has soared to record high, with many areas, particularly the plains experiencing prolonged periods of extreme heat.
“The current heat wave has exacerbated water shortages, leaving irrigation canals dry and depleting groundwater resources. Farmers in districts such as Pulwama, Anantnag, and Baramulla are particularly hard-hit, as traditional water sources have dried up or become insufficient. Finally, let me tell you frankly that there are several key factors contributing to water scarcity which need to be addressed.”
The rising temperatures have also led to a sharp increase in water consumption while simultaneously reducing the availability of water from natural sources. The streams, rivers, and wells that locals traditionally rely upon, are now running dry, leaving communities in miseries! It is not the first time that Kashmir is going through in a situation like this. Water scarcity has remained a frequentconcernfor the people in Jammu and Kashmir particularly in Kashmirduring summer months. But, it can be said that this year has broken all previous records of water scarcity witnessed by Kashmir, previously. If we perceive the records, we can easily comprehend that previous heatwaves have similarly led to water shortages, triggering public outcry and prompting temporary measures from the government. In spite of these frequent crises, long-term solutions have not been found to meet the demands of the community during these trying times! The current heat wave which brought water crisis in the valley, actually pinpoints the necessity for both immediate relief measures and long-term solutions. While the local administration’s response to provide water tankers is a necessary stopgap, but there is a need to address the root causes of water scarcity requiring coordinated efforts involving infrastructure upgrades, climate change mitigation, and community engagement. It is only through sustained and comprehensive efforts that Kashmir can overcome of this problem, to some extent. Now, if we take a look of the impact of this heat wave on agriculture field, we can clearly see that the severe weather has also led to a drastic reduction in water availability for irrigated lands, threatening the agricultural backbone of the Valley. Farmers are facing acute shortages, with many reporting crop failures and significant reductions in yield. Agriculture is the lifeline of Kashmir, with vast tracts of land dedicated to rice, maize, and apple orchards. The current heat wave has exacerbated water shortages, leaving irrigation canals dry and depleting groundwater resources. Farmers in districts such as Pulwama, Anantnag, and Baramulla are particularly hard-hit, as traditional water sources have dried up or become insufficient. Finally, let me tell you frankly that there are several key factors contributing to water scarcity which need to be addressed, at least for the future!
Growing Demand: Population growth, urbanization, and industrialization increase water demand for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry.
Climate Change: Alters precipitation patterns, leading to droughts in some regions and floods in others, disrupting water availability.
Pollution: Contamination of freshwater sources by industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage reduces usable water.
Poor Water Management: Inefficient use, lack of infrastructure for storage and distribution, and over-extraction from aquifers exacerbate scarcity.
Geographic Disparities: Water scarcity is often more severe in arid and semi-arid regions where natural water availability is low.
Addressing water scarcity requires a multifaceted approach:
Conservation And Efficiency: Promoting water-saving technologies, efficient irrigation methods, and reducing water waste.
Investment In Infrastructure: Developing infrastructure for water storage, treatment, and distribution to ensure reliable access.
Policy And Governance: Implementing regulations and incentives for sustainable water use, pollution control, and equitable distribution.
Awareness And Education: Educating communities about water conservation and sustainable practices.
International Cooperation: Collaborating across borders on water management, especially in shared water basins.
By tackling these challenges through coordinated efforts at local, national, and international levels, we can work towards mitigating water scarcity and ensuring water security for future generations
(The author is associated with “Kashmir Horizon” . The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
