Owais Gul
Srinagar, Feb 19 : In the first 50-days of the year 2025 Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a rainfall deficit of 83 percent thus posing a risk of severe water scarcity in the coming months.
According to the official data accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), from January 1, 2025 to February 19, 2025, J&K has recorded a rainfall of just 29.8 mm against the normal precipitation of 175.8 mm. i.e. only the 17% precipitation.
Kargil in Ladakh has recorded zero percent precipitation in 2025 with the data revealing that the district has witnessed 100 per cent deficit as against the normal rainfall of 18.5 mm.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Kathua has witnessed the highest deficiency with 98 percent as a rainfall of only 3.6 mm was recorded against the normal of 152.4 mm.
Jammu and Udhampur stations have recorded a deficit rainfall of 95 per cent each in the last 50 days while 92 per cent deficiency was recorded in Samba district.
Ramban and Kulgam districts have recorded a deficiency of 90 per cent each, the data shows. It adds that Shopian and Reasi have witnessed the deficit rainfall of 88 per cent while Doda and Budgam districts have seen the deficiency of 87 per cent and 86 per cent respectively.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has recorded the deficit rainfall of 85 per cent in the last 50 days while Anantnag, Bandipora and Pulwama have recorded the deficiency of above 80 per cent rainfall during the period.
The other stations including Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Kupwara, Poonch and Rajouri districts have recorded a deficit rainfall in between 72-78 per cent.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that J&K is staring at a water crisis this year, and he will be reviewing the measures the Jal Shakti (PHE) Department intends to take to address the situation.
A top official in the Jal Shakti Department (JSD) while talking to KNO said that the department is ready to tackle any such situation. “We have already formulated a contingency plan if such a situation arises,” he added.
The official also appealed to the people to use the water judiciously and not to waste it to ensure that all the people get adequate drinking water facilities. “Besides, if the dry spell persists, the department will ensure that the people don’t face difficulties,” he said—(KNO)
