Wet spell rejuvenates water bodies

Srinagar, Feb 27: The recent spell of precipitation has significantly reduced the rainfall deficit in Jammu and Kashmir, bringing much-needed relief to water bodies and glaciers.

The deficit, which stood at 83 percent last week, has now dropped to 60 percent as of Thursday morning, marking a 23 percent improvement.

According to meteorologists, the rainfall deficit is expected to decrease further, reaching 40 percent in Kashmir, 50 percent in Jammu, and 60 percent in Ladakh.

The major precipitation recorded across the Kashmir division has brought the region’s overall rainfall deficit down to 63 percent.

“Although the deficit remains, it has improved from a large deficit category to a smaller one,” meteorologist Sonam Lotus told Greater Kashmir.

In Jammu, significant rainfall has been recorded in the Pir Panjal and Chenab valley districts, including Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Rajouri, and Poonch, reducing the region’s rainfall deficit to 50 percent.

However, other districts in Jammu continue to experience a substantial shortfall.

Ladakh has also witnessed major precipitation, particularly in Kargil and Zanskar, bringing the deficit down to 35 percent.

However, Leh, Nubra, and Eastern Ladakh remain in the large deficit category, with shortfalls reaching up to 70 percent.

Following a dry spell of 50 consecutive days at the start of 2025, Kargil has now received 17.4 mm of rainfall in the past 57 days, against a normal precipitation of 25 mm.

Across Jammu and Kashmir, total recorded rainfall from January 1 to February 27 stands at 65.8 mm, compared to a normal of 215.5 mm.

Meteorologists said that while this wet spell has reduced the deficit, it has not completely compensated for the prolonged dry conditions.

“The rainfall has helped reduce the deficit, but we still hope for more rains in March to further improve the situation,” Lotus said.

Director of the Meteorological Department in Kashmir, Mukhtar Ahmad, told Greater Kashmir that the wet spell was more prominent in North Kashmir, with snowfall recorded in upper reaches.

On February 27, rainfall extended across South Kashmir as well, with snowfall expected in higher altitudes.

Weather experts predict an improvement in conditions starting February 28, with another brief spell of precipitation expected on March 3.

However, from March 4 onwards, the weather is likely to remain mostly dry again.

Experts believe that the fresh rainfall will rejuvenate water bodies across the region.

“Every drop of rainfall is precious. This precipitation will help revive lakes, springs, streams, rivers, and, most importantly, glaciers,” Lotus said.

He said that alternating dry and wet spells are part of natural climatic variations, and such fluctuations are witnessed periodically.

The further replenishment of water sources will depend on the rainfall received in March.

“Let us hope that it rains significantly in March too and the rainfall deficit is fully compensated,” Lotus said.