Dry spell rings alarm bells in Kashmir as January rainfall falls 96% below normal

Jammu and Kashmir has recorded an acute rainfall deficit of 96 per cent so far this winter, official data showed , deepening concerns over water availability, agriculture and hydropower generation in the Himalayan region.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Union Territory received only 1.4 mm of rainfall between January 1 and January 14, against a normal of 33.3 mm for the period. Most districts across Kashmir and Jammu divisions reported either negligible rainfall or none at all.

Rainfall deficit

Key agricultural districts such as Srinagar, Budgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Samba, Ramban and Udhampur recorded zero precipitation, while Anantnag, Baramulla, Kupwara and Kulgam saw deficits ranging from 91 per cent to 99 per cent, the data showed.

The prolonged dry spell has raised alarms among farmers and orchardists, who rely on winter snowfall and rain to replenish groundwater and ensure proper dormancy in apple trees, a lifeline of Kashmir’s economy. 

“The protected dry spell could break the bud prematurely and may trigger an irrigation crisis during summer”, said Aabid Rahsid, an apple grower from south Kashmir’s Shopian district. 

In the Jammu region, districts such as Doda, Ramban and Samba also recorded a 100 per cent rainfall deficit, while only marginal precipitation was reported in Poonch and Rajouri, though both remained more than 60 per cent below normal levels.

Ladakh also witnessed below-normal precipitation, with Leh recording a 69 per cent deficit, despite winter snow being critical for sustaining glaciers and summer water flows.

Meteorologists said the sharp shortfall was due to the absence of strong western disturbances, the primary weather systems that bring winter rain and snow to the region.

Authorities and climate experts have warned that if the dry spell persists, it could strain drinking water supplies, agriculture and hydropower production. 

Notably, the water levels in many water bodies including springs and rivers across Jammu and Kashmir deleted significantly. 

Similarly, the hydel power generation has also dipped by over 70 percent. Officials from the Power Development Department said that the department  currently generating just 277 megawatts of electricity against its total installed capacity of 1,197 megawatts.

Breaking dry spell

India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director Mukhtar Ahmad said a strong Western Disturbance is expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir from January 22 to January 25.

“The system is likely to trigger widespread snowfall and rain across the region and is the most significant Western Disturbance so far this winter”, Ahmad told businessline.

Published on January 20, 2026