Dry Weather Conditions: Water Level In Jhelum Drops To 70-Year Low

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- The persisting dry weather across the valley has brought down the water level in Jhelum to 70 -year low in the month of September.

The valley has been witnessing dry weather for more than a month, which has complicated the problems of water scarcity and irrigation for the farmers.

While the southern parts of the valley have recorded rainfall on Friday and Saturday, central and north parts of the valley continue to reel under dry weather conditions.

ADVERTISEMENT

As per the data shared by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the water level at Sangam has dropped to 0.09 feet.

They said it was the lowest water level recorded in the water body in the last 70 years in the month of September.

Read Also I&FC Dept Rules Out Dredging Jhelum River Unprecedented Heatwave

Sangam as per the officials is the guiding factor to determine the water level in River Jhelum, which is the main waterway of Kashmir.

Official records also suggest that the water level at Ram Munshi Bagh had dropped to 2.15 feet.

At Asham, the current water level is 1.6 feet. Officials said the water level at both these points is also lowest recorded in the recent past.

Officials said the lowest water level recorded in Jhelum in the month of September so far has been 0 feet in the year 2019 and 2021.

They said the valley has not received sufficient rainfall for the last two months due to which the water body has almost dried up.

“In July, we received good rainfall and at the time a flood alert was issued. The valley has been witnessing a dry now for the last three months. Jhelum, which is the main water body, has almost dried up at many places,” officials said.

Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Department Naresh Kumar said the valley has witnessed one of the driest September this year.

“September never used to be drier like this before. The valley has not recorded rains for a long time now, which affected Jhelum drastically,” he said.

The residents who are living along banks and in houseboats also said they have witnessed this phenomenon for the first time.

“During autumn and winter, the water level drops in Jhelum but this is probably the lowest water level we have witnessed so far. Currently, the surface of the river is visible,” said Mohammad Monis, a resident of Rajbagh.

Pertinently, the weather man has predicted hot and dry weather to continue in Jammu and Kashmir for a week ahead.

Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group : Join Now

Be Part of Quality Journalism

Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast.

ACT NOW

MONTHLY	Rs 100
YEARLY	Rs 1000
LIFETIME	Rs 10000

CLICK FOR DETAILS

MENAFN21092023000215011059ID1107083327