Suhail Bhat

Srinagar, Dec 28: Water level in famed Jhelum river in Kashmir valley is at its lowest in last 55 years as multiple streams that contribute water to the river have dried up due to prolonged dry spell.

According to Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the water level in the river Jhelum at Sangam gauge in South Kashmir has receded to minus 6 feet, which has never been recorded so far.

“As per our 55-year-old record book, this is for the first time we are witnessing this. It is the lowest ever level recorded, so far. It is difficult to believe that the same river inundated entire Kashmir in September 2014,” an official of IFC Department, Tariq Ahmad, told Excelsior.

The dry weather has left the majority of the streams dry which has not been witnessed before. The famous streams like Rambi Ara, Romshi, Laar and Vushow in South Kashmir districts are dry which might have long term effects on vegetation and agriculture.

Director Meteorological Department, Sonam Lotus, said this is the longest spell of dry weather in last three decades and there are no indications of any immediate sign of rainfall in next two weeks as such prevailing dry spell is going to stay.

“This is a matter of concern. We hardly had any rainfall in the last 3-4 months which is badly affecting the water table. But, in the first week of January, we are expecting a good amount of rain and snow. Hopefully the present cycle ends soon,” he said.

The MeT Director said last time Kashmir witnessed dry spell was in 2005, 2007 and 2014 but the duration was less than three months. He said that this time the dry spell is because of ‘feeble’ Western Disturbances (WD) that has resulted in less amount of rainfall.

“This year we received less rainfall because of weak western winds. The western wind has been passing at latitude of 36 degrees north since the start of ongoing dry spell due to rise in the elevation of pressure drop position in the Mediterranean sea, which is usually 1.5 Kilometres above the sea level,” he said.

He further said that in the month of September this year Kashmir received just 28.6 mm rainfall as compared to 115mm last year. Similarly, 3.6mm rainfall was recorded against 63.2 mm last year. The month of November remained completely dry this year while as 12.9 mm rainfall was recorded last year.

According to Horticulture officials, if the dry spell continues for the next two months it can prove detrimental for the development of buds. “It is not alarming yet but if it continues till February it can damage the plants. At this time our plant is in dormancy so we do not need to worry for next one month,” Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, an official said.

Asked if the drying of streams would affect the irrigation, he said: “We have exploited the ground water where irrigation was necessary for farmers but yes 20% of people can face problems. We have introduced several techniques which helps them to conserve water,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Weatherman today said there is no good news for those looking forward to snow in Kashmir around the New Year’s eve.

A Meteorological Department Official said that weather is likely to remain dry during the next 48 hours in Jammu and Kashmir. He, however, said there is no indication of any rain or snowfall in the State on the New Year’s eve, although the weather would remain partially cloudy,” said the official.

The intense cold wave sweeping the State continued today as the minimum temperatures in the Kashmir valley remained several notches below the freezing point.

The ongoing, over five-month long dry spell in the State has been the longest during the last one decade.

Most water bodies including lakes, springs and rivers are partially frozen in the Valley these days.

The absence of rainfall has resulted in decreased discharge in the rivers which has adversely affected electric power generation here.

Night’s lowest temperature in Srinagar was minus 4.1 degree Celsius today. Pahalgam recorded minus 4.2 degree Celsius and Gulmarg minus 1.4 degree Celsius as the minimum temperatures. Qazigund and Kokernag in South and Kupwara in North recorded a low of minus 2 degree Celsius.

Leh town recorded minus 12.9 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature today.

The minimum temperature in Jammu was 7.2 degree Celsius. Katra town recorded 9.4 degree Celsius, Batote 7.3 degree Celsius, Banihal 2.5 and Bhaderwah 3 degree Celsius.

The day temperatures across Kashmir also dropped today with Srinagar recording maximum day temperature of 10. 7 degree Celsius against yesterday’s 10.5 degree Celsius.

Qazigund recorded 12.4 degree Celsius, Pahalgam 11.8 degree Celsius, Kokernag 11.7 degree Celsius, Kupwara 12.3 degree Celsius, Gulmarg 7.4 degree Celsius, Leh 6.1 degree Celsius and Kargil minus 1 degree Celsius.

Jammu recorded a maximum of 20.9 degree Celsius, Katra 21.7 degree Celsius, Banihal 21.7 degree Celsius, Batote 19 degree Celsius and Bhaderwah 18.3 degree Celsius.