J&K records over 50% snowfall deficit for 2nd straight winter: Govt

Srinagar, Feb 11: Jammu and Kashmir has recorded more than a 50% deficit in winter precipitation for the second consecutive year, with the shortfall more acute in the Kashmir Valley, the government informed the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to a question by National Conference MLA SajadShaheen, the government cited India Meteorological Department (IMD) data showing that the Union Territory received 50.11% less precipitation than normal between October 2024 and February 2025.

The deficit deepened the following winter, with precipitation during October 2025 to February 2026 falling 54.33% below normal.

“The government is continuously monitoring the precipitation in the form of snow and rain in the catchment areas of Jammu and Kashmir and some concerns on its adequacy are being observed,” the government reply said, adding that the deficit has been “more acute in the Kashmir division.”

Winter snowfall is critical to the region’s water cycle as it replenishes rivers and reservoirs that sustain the drinking water supply, irrigation and hydropower generation during summer.

The government acknowledged that reduced snowfall “significantly impacts hydropower generation by resulting in lower water inflow.”

Outlining mitigation measures, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmad Rana said the Agriculture Production Department is adopting “long-term policy interventions and climate-resilient strategies to address recurring snow-deficit winters.”

These include expansion of micro-irrigation systems, promotion of water conservation, diversification toward less water-intensive crops and preparation of district-level crop contingency plans under schemes such as the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).

“In anticipation of water stress, the Jal Shakti Department has initiated contingency measures for 2026–27, including deployment of water tankers in shortage-prone areas, regulated distribution, strengthening of lift water supply schemes and reinforcement of diversion bunds and intake structures to tap minimal water levels,” the minister said.

He added that the department is prioritising water-scarce zones, upgrading infrastructure, intensifying leakage control and setting up district-level control rooms to ensure “judicious use of water.”

For irrigation, authorities are implementing an irrigation scheduling calendar, carrying out desilting works and enforcing “warabandi” to ensure equitable water distribution among farmers.

On the power front, the government admitted that the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) has not developed any specific action plan in response to snow-deficit assessments.

However, it said the corporation has initiated an Early Warning System for vulnerable hydropower projects and is preparing a Disaster Management Plan for the Baglihar Hydroelectric Project.

On long-term climate response, the government said the revised State Action Plan on Climate Change is at an advanced draft stage, proposing 20 adaptation strategies in agriculture and 15 in the water sector. “The Forest Department has planted over 2.21 crore saplings in the past two years,” the House was told.

The IMD is also set to strengthen forecasting infrastructure in the Union Territory with plans for four new Doppler weather radars and 34 additional automatic weather stations and snow gauges in remote districts.