Snowfall In Kashmir Restores Water Supply To Full Capacity

SRINAGAR: In a turn of weather events, the recent snowfall in the valley has proven to be a boon for the region's water bodies— charging them back and resorting the potable water supply to its own capacity, said a top official in Jal Shakti department.

Er. Sajid Pandit Technical Officer to Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti department (PHE) told the news agency, that the recent rain and snow spells in the valley has recharged the water bodies and that the potable water supply affected earlier has been restored to its own capacity.

“The turnaround in the weather conditions has infused new life into the water bodies. Some of the water bodies, which had turned partially dry, are back to their water holding capacity after back to back spells of rain and snow in the valley," he said.

Pandit said that although there was not such a severe impact to the potable water supply in the region other than from isolated pockets of the valley. He however, acknowledged that the dry spell had led to the partial drying of several water bodies in the valley.

It is pertinent to note that in the aftermath of prolonged dry spell, several areas in the valley complained of shortage in water supplies.

Moreover, the fresh snowfall has come as a relief to the region, as water scarcity had prompted the Jal Shakti department to implement mitigation measures.

The officials had previously expressed concern over several water bodies experiencing a partial drying effect, creating a potential threat to the water supply. Officials had stated that due to prolonged dry spell in the valley, 20 percent of the portable water supply had got “badly affected” in the region.

However, the recent snowfall has acted as a natural remedy, refilling these bodies and ensuring that the potable water supply returns to its original position—(KNO)