Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Dec 02: A prolonged and unprecedented dry spell in Kashmir has pushed water levels in major water bodies to alarming lows, triggering fresh fears of a drinking water crisis across several pockets of Kashmir.
Residents in many areas of Pulwama and Tral—who witnessed springs go completely dry last year—have urged authorities to step in with alternative arrangements before the situation worsens.
Locals told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the current dip in water levels is reminiscent of last winter, when the region recorded one of its driest spells in decades. That parching phase resulted in the drying up of several iconic springs, including the Aripal Spring in Tral and Bulbul Spring in Newa, both key sources of drinking water for surrounding villages, they said.
Muhammad Ashraf, a resident of Aripal, said the community has been noticing the water recede steadily for weeks, and the current water level is very low.
“We saw this last year—first the flow reduces, then one morning the spring just stops. We cannot afford to wait for that moment again,” Ashraf said.
Residents recalled how, in early 2024, Aripal Spring dried up completely, disrupting multiple water supply schemes and even forcing the fisheries department to shift stock from its nearby fish farm to Dobiwan. With the ongoing dry spell, people fear a similar or worse outcome.
Shabir Ahmad from Newa also expressed concern: “Bulbul Spring never dried in our lifetime until last winter. When it stopped flowing, dozens of villages went into crisis mode. If the weather continues like this, the story will repeat.”
While tankers are being deployed in some areas, residents say such measures barely scratch the surface of the larger issue. “Water tankers can never replace a natural spring,” said Rafiqa, a local from Tral. “We need sustainable sources—tube wells, borewells, or any long-term solution. Waiting for snowfall is not a plan.”
Villagers in Newa said that the Ground Water Department had previously identified land for constructing a well, but the project never moved forward. “The spot was inspected, land was finalised, but work never started,” said Abdul Hameed, a local elder. “This dryness is not a one-time event anymore. Authorities must act now, not after the taps run dry.”
Officials from the PHE confirmed that water levels in many springs have gone very low.
An officer told KNO, “The situation is indeed concerning. The overall water table is low due to prolonged dry conditions. If it doesn’t rain or snow soon, some springs may face complete depletion.”
He added that tankers have already been pressed into service wherever required, and the department is exploring additional backup options. “We are working on alternative supply arrangements wherever possible to ensure people do not suffer,” he said.
Many residents believe last year’s experience should have served as a wake-up call for the administration. “Winters used to replenish our springs,” said Javaid Ahmad of Tral. “But now the snow is missing, rain is missing, and our water sources are vanishing. We cannot survive like this if action is delayed.”—(KNO
