Agriculture, horticulture, generation of hydro-electricity to get affected
SRINAGAR, JAN 13: Kashmir has experienced an alarming 80 percent reduction in snowfall compared to the usual average since December, raising concerns among experts about potential impacts on agriculture, horticulture, and hydro-electricity generation.
Official data from the Indian Meteorological Department reveals an 80 percent rainfall deficit, with Jammu and Kashmir receiving only 12.6 mm compared to the average of 59.6 mm.
The dry spell continues in January, which is considered the harshest month when the valley normally receives maximum snowfall.
Similarly, there is an early rise in temperature which may lead to premature flowering of plants and melting of glaciers with experts attributing all these phenomena to the impact of global warming.
Director of the Meteorological Department Leh, Sonam Lotus said there has been a decline in snowfall during winters and an early rise in temperature which is a cause of concern. “When there is less snow during winters, there will be less availability of water for farmers to irrigate their fields. It can also impact the generation of hydroelectricity,” Lotus said.
Zahid Ahmad, a Kashmir-based environmentalist, said there has been a considerable decline in snowfall in Kashmir. “Similarly, when the snow melts early due to rise in temperature, it will affect agriculture, horticulture and hydropower generation which are the key sectors of the economy in the valley,” he said.
The land under paddy cultivation in Kashmir is 134067 hectares.
Similarly, he said there would be a premature flow of fruits in the valley. “When we have less water in rivers and streams we won’t be able to water our plants, resulting in the flowers falling and impacting the fruit production,” he added.
Horticulture in Kashmir is mainly dependent on the snow we receive during winter.
More than 3,38,000 hectares of land is under fruit cultivation in the valley of which 162000 hectares is dedicated to apple production
An official of the Power Development Corporation said they will come to know the impact of less snow on the generation of hydroelectricity in the coming months. “The snow has started melting due to the rise in temperature. So there won’t be proper generation of hydroelectricity when the flow of water will be less,” he said.
J&K has the potential of hydroelectricity of 20,000 MWs of which 3000 MWs have been harnessed so far. Several north Indian states are depending on electricity being generated in Jammu and Kashmir.
