Srinagar, Dec 5: As winter descends on Kashmir, women are facing mounting challenges in managing households amid persistent power outages, rising essential supply costs, and increased health risks.Rukhsana Ahmed, a 42-year-old Srinagar housewife, epitomizes the daily struggles faced by women acr. “When electricity goes off for hours, even boiling water becomes difficult,” she says. “Getting through winters here feels like a daily struggle.”
Irregular electricity supply forces families to rely on traditional heating methods like wood-fired bukharis and kangris, portable clay firepots filled with embers. These traditional solutions, while providing warmth, come with their own set of challenges, including potential health risks from smoke and limited heating efficiency.
Jammu and Kashmir is currently experiencing a significant power shortage, with only 1,500 MW available against a demand of 2200 MW. This has resulted in power outages lasting 5 to 6 hours in urban areas and even longer in rural regions. The situation is worsened by the effects of the La Niña weather phenomenon, which is expected to bring harsher winter conditions and further strain the already limited electricity supply due to decreased hydroelectric power generation.
Rubeena, from Ganderbal, echoes the sentiment. “Power cuts start as early as November. By December, we are used to spending evenings in darkness,” she says. Her day revolves around cooking meals in advance to avoid working in freezing conditions without electricity. “It’s not just cooking,” she adds. “It’s the entire routine that gets disrupted.”
The rising costs of firewood, gas, and kerosene compound the difficulties. A single gas cylinder now costs over ₹919, and a quintal of firewood exceeds ₹900, placing heating solutions out of reach for many.
Shabnum, a widow from Kulgam, highlights the economic strain. “Last year, I managed winter with two gas cylinders, but this year I can barely afford one,” she says. To keep her children warm, she gathers firewood from nearby forests, a task made dangerous by icy paths and the physical toll. “It’s tiring, but I have no choice.”
Health risks add to the burden. Poorly heated homes expose children and elderly family members to respiratory illnesses. Many families burn coal or low-quality firewood, which emits harmful smoke. Fatima, a mother in Pulwama, says she worries about her two-year-old. “We use the bukhari because we can’t afford electric heaters, but the smoke fills the room,” she explains.
Government electricity schedules offer little relief, as unplanned outages remain common. Subsidies on firewood and kerosene have been reduced over the years, leaving families with fewer affordable heating options. Shabnum criticizes the lack of targeted support. “The government needs to understand that winters here are about survival, not just snow and beauty.”
While official assistance remains limited, community-driven initiatives provide some relief. Local NGOs distribute blankets and heating equipment, and neighbors often support one another. Rubeena credits this collective spirit with helping her family cope. “It’s our neighbors who make it bearable,” she says.
Women have also devised their own strategies to manage household demands during the harsh season. Preparing dried vegetables in advance reduces cooking time in winter, and knitting warm clothes is both a necessity and a small source of income.
Despite these efforts, the situation remains precarious for many. “We’ve learned to adjust, but the hope for an easier winter feels far away,” says Rukhsana. She recently joined a women’s group that shares tips on managing tasks during power outages.
Experts argue that improving electricity infrastructure and restoring subsidies on essential heating supplies could significantly ease these challenges. Kashmiri women, however, feel their voices are often overlooked.
For now, the burden remains on women to navigate the cold months. “We face the cold because we have to,” says Rukhsana. “But it would be nice if someone cared enough to make our lives a little easier.”
