Srinagar, Feb 21: Prayers seem to have been answered as the historic Achabal spring has rejuvenated to its original state.
“It is heartening to see the spring replenished. I believe it is due to prayers. Even though the temperature was high, and no rain or snowfall was expected in the Valley, this revival feels miraculous,” a local resident said.
Assistant executive engineer, Jal Shakti sub-division Anantnag, Gowhar Hussain Ganie, said that water has been fully restored in the spring, and the supply is running smoothly. “All water supply pipelines are functioning properly now,” he said.
For the first time, Achabal spring had dried up due to an unprecedented dry spell and minimal rainfall this winter, raising serious concerns about a potential drought-like situation in the summer.
Built by Noor Jahan, wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir in the 17th century, this spring had never run dry before
The spring provides water to nearly 20 villages surrounding the Achabal Mughal garden, and residents are now facing a severe water crisis, relying on water tankers for their supply. The Achabal springs also support 13 water supply schemes, further worsening the situation.
Kashmir has recorded an 80 percent precipitation deficit in January and February, leading to the drying up of multiple water bodies across the Valley. An official from the Meteorological Department confirmed, “There has been nearly 80 percent deficient precipitation in the Valley in January and February so far.”
The condition is similar in other parts of south Kashmir. The Aripal spring in Tral, Pulwama, has also completely dried up, along with many other springs in the region. The Aripath stream, originating from Chatapal in Shangus, Kulgam, has met the same fate.
The river Jhelum is experiencing a continuous decline in water levels. At Sangam in south Kashmir, it has dropped to -1.01 feet, which is below the Reduced Level (RL) of zero, while at Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar, it has fallen to 3.52 feet. Major tributaries of the Jhelum are also witnessing severe water shortages.
Experts have warned of a drought-like situation in the summer. Joint Director (Extension) of the Agriculture Department, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, advised farmers to shift to crops that require less water.
“We advise farmers to grow crops that require less water. Instead of paddy, they should consider millets, corn, and pulses,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “J&K is staring at a water crisis this year. It’s not a recent phenomenon. It’s been building up for a few years now. While the government will have to adopt a more proactive approach for water management & conservation, it can’t just be a government-centric approach.”
“All of us residents of J&K will have to change the way we take water for granted. I’ll be reviewing the measures the Jal Shakti (PHE) Dept intends to take to deal with the developing crisis, & I’ll also be talking to the people of J&K over the next few months about what we can do collectively,” he added.