The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir may face a power deficit as early as November, despite an allocation of 329 megawatts (MW) from the central share for December 2026 and January-February 2027, officials told the news agency KNO.

Top officials said the Ministry of Power (MoP) had allocated the power for the three winter months, while warning that November 2026 and March 2027 could pose supply challenges.

“We may face the power deficit challenge for the months of November 2026 and March 2027,” an official said.

The official said Jammu and Kashmir typically faces a power shortage of 800–1,000 MW during peak winter, which is met through centrally allocated power and purchases from power exchanges.

At present, the Union Territory's power demand stands at around 2,100–2,200 MW, the official said, adding that it rises to nearly 2,900 MW during peak winter.

The Ministry of Power has also allocated more than 870 MW of power for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh from the unallocated quota of Central Generating Stations (CGSs) in the northern region. However, officials said the actual supply received from the allocation was around 600 MW, depending on the Plant Load Factor (PLF).

According to official documents accessed by KNO, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh may receive 655 MW of unallocated power from northern-region utilities between November 1 and 30, 2026, subject to modification.

The documents indicate that the allocation could increase to 845 MW for December 2026 and January 2027, before declining to 655 MW for February 2027.

The allocations are subject to revision, the documents stated.

The potential shortage comes amid concerns that Jammu and Kashmir could face a repeat of last winter's power crisis, when demand in the region's control area reached around 3,200 MW during early morning and night hours as heating requirements increased.

Official documents warned that demand this winter could be similar to or higher than last year's peak, while hydropower generation was likely to remain low.

“Demand is expected to be similar or higher this winter, and hydro generation is likely to be lean again, so the same conditions are likely to return unless action is taken in advance,” the documents stated.

PULWAMA — Pulwama Police have seized 20 dumpers and tippers, along with an L&T excavator, during a raid against alleged illegal soil extraction in the Rahmoo belt of south Kashmir district, officials said on Friday.

The raid was conducted in the early hours at Gusoo to check unauthorised soil extraction, they said.

According to officials, the seized machinery was allegedly being used for illegal soil extraction in violation of permitted conditions.

A police officer said the action reflected Pulwama Police’s efforts to curb illegal mining and prevent the unauthorised extraction of natural resources.

The officer said the operation was expected to reinforce compliance with mining regulations and deter violations in the area.

SRINAGAR — The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast brief spells of light rain at isolated places across Jammu and Kashmir on October 23 and 24, followed by generally dry weather from October 25 to 31.

In its latest weather update, the centre said isolated areas could receive light rainfall on Friday and Saturday, while predominantly dry conditions are expected to prevail during the following week.

The forecast also indicates the possibility of light rain or light snowfall at a few places between November 1 and 3, suggesting a potential change in weather conditions at the beginning of next month.

Meanwhile, the weather department has advised farmers to continue harvesting and other agricultural operations.

The forecast comes as farmers across the Valley continue seasonal harvesting activities. The department's outlook indicates generally dry conditions over the coming days, although the possibility of precipitation at isolated places remains.