Climate change is intensifying water scarcity in uptown Srinagar, affecting the Doodh Ganga river, a primary drinking water source. Residents report increasingly erratic water supply, with taps running dry for days, particularly during summer.
A 2024 study revealed significant glacier loss in the Pir Panjal range, with 122 glaciers shrinking from 25.7 sq km to 15.9 sq km between 1980 and 2020. Earth scientists note that declining snowfall, rising winter temperatures, and earlier snowmelt disrupt traditional water cycles, impacting river flow.
In 2024, Kashmir experienced an 80 percent precipitation deficit, significantly reducing raw water in Doodh Ganga and causing supply interruptions. The water treatment plant serving over 200,000 people relies on the river, but both prolonged dry periods and heavy rainfall, which increases turbidity, can disrupt its operation. The Jal Shakti department is planning long-term water-supply and conservation measures.
Source: Down To Earth