Kashmir’s agriculture sector to face severe crisis in absence of immediate precipitation: Experts

Srinagar, Feb 18: Experts have warned of a severe agricultural crisis in Jammu and Kashmir due to a prolonged dry spell.

Prof. Irfan Rashid, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir, said the ongoing dry spell could spell doom on Kashmir’s economy, which is primarily agrarian.

“Kashmir relies heavily on agriculture, horticulture, and other water-dependent sectors. If we do not receive precipitation soon, these sectors will face a severe crisis. Orchards, in particular, are likely to suffer significantly in the coming summer,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir is currently experiencing significantly lower-than-average rainfall and snowfall.

A MeT department official told Greater Kashmir that Jammu and Kashmir experienced more favourable weather conditions in February and March last year than this year, which has been marked by prolonged dry spell since the last snowfall in January.

Experts said that the lack of snowfall in higher altitudes is leading to water shortages in lower regions, affecting lakes, rivers, and springs.

“Snowmelt contributes nearly 65% to the flow of rivers and springs, and the drying up of historic springs like Achabal and Verinag is a direct consequence of this deficit," said an expert.

With dry spells resulting in forest fires in the districts of Pulwama, Anantnag and Bandipora, experts have said that these forest fires are a direct consequence of “prolonged dry weather.”

The MeT department officials said a brief change in weather is expected from 19-20 February, with higher reaches across Chenab Valley likely to experience snow, which “will provide some relief from the ongoing environmental conditions.”

As per the reports, forest fires have erupted in Tral’s Pinglish area, Dadoo Marhama in Anantnag, and Kunan village in Bandipora.

Explaining the factors behind the dry conditions, Prof. Rashid said, “Reports suggest that western disturbances over the western Himalayan region, including Kashmir, have been weakening. This weakening is likely responsible for the lack of low-pressure gradients over Kashmir, leading to unusually dry winters.”

About the broader climate implications, Prof Rashid added, “Western disturbances originate in the Mediterranean, and global climatic systems must be closely examined. Many countries are contributing to this disruption by emitting large volumes of greenhouse gases. Greater accountability is needed, and climate policies must be more stringent. The current changes are anthropogenically driven, with regions like Europe also witnessing worsening snowfall conditions in recent years.”