Owais Gul
Srinagar, Jan 10 : For the past five consecutive years Jammu and Kashmir has received unprecedented deficit rainfall with 2024 being the driest year in the past 50-years.
As per the details shared by an Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the 2024 saw the lowest rainfall in five decades and touched close to the previous low of 802.5 mm recorded in 1974, marking the driest year in the past 50 years.
The precipitation levels plunged to just 870.9 mm against the normal annual average of 1232.3 mm in 2024—a significant deficit of 29%.
According to Faizan, 2024 marked the fifth consecutive year of below-normal precipitation in the Union Territory.
In 2023, a rainfall of 1146.6 mm was recorded, marking a deficit of 7% while 2022 witnessed 1040.4 mm rainfall, recording a deficit of 16%, he shared, adding that 2021 recorded a rainfall of 892.5 mm, marking 28% deficit, and 2020 experienced 982.2 mm precipitation with 20% deficit.
“The region’s precipitation levels continue to dwindle,” Keng said.
Sharing monthly data for 2024, Keng informed that January recorded a staggering 91% shortfall, while February and March saw deficits of 17% and 16% respectively.
Although April offered some respite with a 48% surplus, it was the only month to witness excess rainfall, he said.
“Deficits resumed from May onwards, with shortfalls of 67% in May, 38% in June, 36% in July and 2% in August. The situation worsened toward the end of the year, with deficits of 41% in September, 74% in October, 69% in November, and 58% in December,” Keng added.
The impact of such deficits is already visible in the form of reduced water availability for agriculture, hydropower, and drinking purposes, raising alarms for policymakers and residents alike.
The declining rainfall over the years emphasizes the urgent need for climate adaptation measures and comprehensive water management strategies to mitigate the effects of prolonged dry spells in Jammu and Kashmir.
The KNO has already reported that river Jhelum, the lifeline of Kashmir, is witnessing one of its all-time lowest water levels this season, raising alarms about the growing impact of climate change on the region.
The Jhelum at Sangam point is currently flowing at a distressing level of -0.75 feet, while at Ram Munshi Bagh, the water level stands at 3.73 feet and at Asham at 1.08 feet—(KNO)
