IMD forecast sparks hope in parched Valley, temperatures plunge

Srinagar, Jan 18: After a prolonged dry spell that has severely strained water resources across Kashmir, the forecast of a significant wet spell has rekindled hope among residents and farmers in the Valley. The anticipated precipitation is expected to replenish depleted rivers, streams, and springs, while also providing much-needed relief to the agriculture sector.

Director of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mukhtar Ahmad, said a strong Western Disturbance is likely to impact Jammu and Kashmir between January 22 and January 25.

“The system is expected to bring widespread snowfall and rainfall to the region. This is the major Western Disturbance so far this winter,” he said, raising expectations of a turnaround after weeks of unusually dry weather.

The official said Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal and south Kashmir are likely to witness heavy rain or snow.

The absence of sustained rainfall and snowfall over the past several weeks has had a visible impact on water bodies, particularly in south Kashmir.

Major water sources, including the Veshow River in Kulgam district, Bulbul Nag in Pulwama, and the Aripal spring in Tral, have recorded alarmingly low water levels, causing concern among local communities dependent on them for drinking water and irrigation.

Residents in Kulgam said the Veshow Nallah, which serves as a lifeline for several villages, is running nearly dry.

“The stream has dried up to a large extent,” said Ghulam Muhammad, a local resident. “It is a critical source of water for irrigation and daily use. We hope the upcoming wet spell will replenish the water resources in the area.”

Similar concerns were echoed in Pulwama district, where water levels in the Bulbulnag spring have depleted significantly.

The spring supplies water to dozens of villages, and its declining discharge has added to residents’ worries.

“We are looking up to this Western Disturbance,” said Abdul Rashid Wani of Pulwama’s Newa’s village. “We hope it will not only replenish our water sources but also benefit our agricultural fields.”

Farmers, especially those engaged in saffron cultivation, are also closely watching the weather forecast.

Ali Muhammad, a saffron farmer from the Pampore belt, said the prolonged dry spell has already begun to affect saffron fields.

“Saffron needs adequate moisture during December and January,” he said. “If the dry conditions persist, it could impact the growth of corms and affect the next season’s yield.”

In the Tral area of Pulwama district, residents reported that the Aripal spring, another crucial water source, has witnessed depleted levels during the dry spell.

Locals believe timely snowfall and rainfall could help revive the spring and ease the looming water stress.

Waseem Ahmad, an environmentalist, said that sustained precipitation from a strong Western Disturbance could help restore groundwater levels, recharge springs, and improve soil moisture, which is essential for both rabi crops and horticulture.

Meanwhile, overnight temperatures dropped sharply across Kashmir on Sunday, while meteorological officials forecast a wet spell beginning January 22.

In Srinagar, the minimum temperature settled at minus 4.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday, down from minus 3.2 degrees Celsius recorded a day earlier.

Similar drops were observed across south, north and central Kashmir, with several districts registering declines of 1 to 4 degrees Celsius compared to Saturday.

South Kashmir remained among the coldest regions.

Shopian recorded a minimum of minus 6.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday, compared with minus 5.6 degrees Celsius the previous day.

Pulwama and Anantnag both slipped to minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, from minus 5.3 degrees Celsius and minus 4.7 degrees Celsius.

Pahalgam also saw a sharp fall, with temperatures plunging to minus 6.0 degrees Celsius from minus 2.6 degrees Celsius a day earlier, one of the steepest declines in the region.

In north Kashmir, Kupwara shivered at minus 4.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday from minus 2.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while Baramulla dropped to minus 4.4 degrees Celsius from minus 1.6 degrees Celsius.

Sopore recorded minus 6.1 degrees Celsius, significantly lower than minus 3.6 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Bandipora showed mixed readings but overall remained colder than Saturday.

Central Kashmir districts also recorded lower temperatures.

Budgam and Srinagar airports both slipped to minus 4.7 degrees Celsius and minus 5.4 degrees Celsius, compared with minus 3.8 degrees Celsius and minus 3.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Ganderbal recorded minus 3.3 degrees Celsius, down from minus 2.6 degrees Celsius.

Tourist destinations and higher reaches experienced a marked intensification of cold.

Gulmarg recorded a minimum of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, compared with minus 4.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Sonamarg witnessed the sharpest fall, plunging to minus 8.9 degrees Celsius from minus 2.9 degrees Celsius a day earlier, making it the coldest recorded place in Kashmir on Sunday.

By contrast, Jammu recorded a minimum temperature of 5.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, slightly warmer than the 4.6 degrees Celsius recorded on Saturday.

In Ladakh, Leh recorded minus 8.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, down from minus 7 degrees Celsius the previous day, reflecting continued sub-zero conditions in the cold desert region.

Meteorologists attributed the sharp overnight cooling to clear skies and dry weather, which allows rapid loss of heat after sunset.

Director of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, told Greater Kashmir that a strong Western Disturbance was likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir between January 22 and January 25.

The system is expected to bring widespread snowfall and rainfall across the region and is the most significant western disturbance recorded so far this winter, he said.

The official said that the higher reaches of Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal, and south Kashmir may receive heavy rain or snow.