Precipitation deficit drops from 80% to 65%

Srinagar, Feb 27: After an extended dry spell that left Kashmir facing an alarming precipitation deficit, the recent wet spell has slightly improved the situation, reducing the overall shortfall from 80 percent to nearly 65 percent.

According to official data released by the Meteorological Department here, as of February 27, the Kashmir division recorded a 63 percent precipitation deficit, while the Jammu division faced a 67 percent deficit.

The situation was even worse a week earlier, with deficits of 81 percent and 83 percent in Kashmir and Jammu divisions as of February 20, it said.

The ongoing wet spell, which brought intermittent snowfall and rainfall to different parts of J&K, has marginally improved the situation.

However, Meteorologists warn that this improvement is not enough to compensate for the prolonged dry conditions that have gripped the region since December.

The Extended Range Forecast (ERF) by the MeT Department offers some hope.

According to their predictions, above-normal precipitation is likely from February 27 to March 6, which could further ease the ongoing precipitation deficit.

Near-normal precipitation is expected between March 6 and March 13, ensuring some continuity in snowfall and rainfall.

The winter of 2023-24 has been among the driest in Kashmir’s recent history, raising concerns across multiple sectors.

Farmers, particularly apple growers, have been worried about the inadequate snowfall, which is crucial for replenishing the soil moisture required for horticulture.

A lack of snowfall leads to reduced water availability in spring and summer, directly affecting crops.

The dry winter has also impacted water bodies, with many streams and rivers witnessing a lower-than-usual flow.

This poses a serious risk to drinking water availability in summer and could impact the power generation capacity of hydroelectric projects, which rely on glacier-fed rivers.

Kashmir’s winter tourism, which thrives on snowfall, took a hit due to the long dry spell.

Popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam received less-than-expected snowfall, leading to a decline in tourist footfall.

However, the recent snow spells have revived some hopes for the tourism industry.