Water levels dip across valley’s rivers; Jal Shakti Dept assures supply
Srinagar : The Kashmir Valley is currently experiencing a prolonged dry spell and heatwave, leading to a significant decline in water levels in the River Jhelum and its tributaries, raising concerns about water availability and irrigation supplies. Key gauging stations reported low water levels, with the Jhelum measuring just 0.96 ft at Sangam and negative depth at Pampore. Wullar Lake is also below its average level, indicating stress on the tributaries feeding the river system. Despite these challenges, the Jal Shakti Department has stated that water supply across the Valley remains normal, although there are reports of rising demand and misuse of water resources. Chief Engineer Er Taj Mohammad Chowdhary noted that water is being supplied via tankers in several areas, particularly in Srinagar, where misuse for non-essential purposes is a concern. He assured that all filtration plants are operational, prioritizing essential services, and surveillance teams have been established to monitor water usage. In response to the situation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a high-level review meeting to ensure uninterrupted water and power supply during the peak summer months, particularly during significant events like the Amarnath Yatra and Muharram. The Meteorological Department has forecasted generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate rain and thunderstorms from June 25 to 27, which may provide some relief to the ongoing dry conditions.
