The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The ongoing prolonged dry spell this summer is causing immense distress among valley farmers, raising concerns about its severe impact on crop growth and overall productivity.

Officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department informed the news agency KNO that due to the extended dry weather and decreasing water levels in the Jhelum River, approximately 10% of irrigation agriculture schemes are being affected.

"We are currently witnessing a significant reduction in the water level of the Jhelum River due to prolonged dry weather conditions. The decreased water level has adversely affected lift irrigation," an official said.

The official further said that the overall water capacity of the Jhelum has decreased by 30% from normal levels, resulting in a 10% impact on irrigation schemes.

Meanwhile, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, said, “Currently, there is moisture in the ground, but if there is no rainfall by next week, both paddy and vegetable crops will be negatively affected.”

“For the growth of paddy and vegetable crops, rainwater is crucial. Presently, there is some moisture in the ground, but without rainfall within the next week or so, adverse effects on both vegetable and paddy fields are anticipated,” Director Iqbal said.

Professor Dr Raihana, Chief Scientist at the Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir, said the prolonged dry spell had stressed plants, resulting in stunted growth in both paddy and vegetable crops.

“The extended dry spell has caused the tips of paddy crops to burn, while leaves of vegetables have become dry,” she explained. Dr Raihana added that the high temperatures coupled with the prolonged dry period have led to reduced crop yields, with stunted growth and leaf weathering in vegetable plants.

A considerable portion of the Jhelum River in Srinagar is visibly drying up, with surface patches becoming evident at various points along its stretch.

Another official from the I&FC Department said that over 40% of the Jhelum River in Srinagar has begun to dry up at multiple locations due to the extended dry spell.

“The ongoing dry spell is impacting water bodies. In Srinagar, approximately 40% of the Jhelum River has dried up, with surface patches visible at numerous locations,” the official said.

Farmers said the lack of precipitation and above-average temperatures have severely affected crop growth and development, dealing a significant blow to the region’s agricultural economy.

Several videos circulating on social media purportedly show farmers displaying their dry paddy fields, with young paddy plants also withering due to the dry conditions.

Farmers are anxiously awaiting relief from the dry and hot weather conditions as the prolonged spell continues to challenge their livelihoods and the overall agricultural economy.

SRINAGAR — A 4-year-old boy was rescued from drowning in the river Jhelum at Gasi Mohallah in Safakadak area of Srinagar after a quick action by a local man, whose bravery averted a potential tragedy.

A police official, while confirming the incident, told the news agency KNO that the incident occurred near Gasi Mohallah in Safakadal area of Srinagar, in which a boy while playing slipped into the river Jhelum and that the timely rescue by a local saved his life.

However, the quick rescue has sparked both admiration for the rescuer and concern over parental negligence as well.

“It is a miracle of Allah that the boy survived. This is Jhelum, it is not a canal. It is very rare that someone who slips like this comes out alive," said a local from the area.

As per a viral video on social media, the person shooting the video says that the boy slipped and fell into the fast-flowing waters of the Jhelum.

Witnesses said that hearing the boy's cries for help and seeing him struggle to stay afloat, panic spread among onlookers after which a young man, followed by another person sprang into action and without hesitation, jumped into the river and managed to reach the boy, bringing him safely to shore.

Soon after the boy was rescued from Jhelum, a person aiding the rescue can be seen giving him cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

People across the valley have showered praises on his heroism, with many calling him a true hero. “This man risked his own life to save the child,” said one witness. “His bravery deserves all the praise,” he said.

Amidst the celebration of a fortunate outcome, the incident has also raised concerns about the supervision of children by parents, who live and go near the water bodies.

Pertinently, summer in Kashmir often sees an increase in accidents involving water bodies, as children and young boys flock to rivers and lakes to escape the heat. Tragically, such outings have sometimes ended in fatalities, particularly among non-swimmers.

Meanwhile, as per the hospital reports, the rescued boy, though shaken, is reported to be in good health and recovering.

Meanwhile, police officials also confirmed the incident and said that the boy slipped into the river Jhelum near Gasi Mohallah in Safa Kadal, when he was playing and that the timely action by a local man saved his life.

When contacted, SMHS Hospital Srinagar authorities said that the boy was fine and stable but was further sent for a paediatric check-up at the children’s hospital.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Imtiyaz Ahmad, father of the boy said that they were at a children’s hospital to undergo some tests and that his son was recovering.

SRINAGAR — Two individuals drowned in separate incidents in the Jhelum River on Monday afternoon, authorities said.

In the first incident, Mohammad Ashraf Wani, 20, of Inderkote Sumbal, drowned while bathing in the river at Rakhi Asham in the Sumbal area of northern Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

Rescue efforts were initiated immediately but were unsuccessful until his body was later recovered, an unnamed official was quoted as having said by the local news agency Kashmir Scroll.

In a separate incident, Nasir Ahmad Sheikh slipped and fell into the Jhelum River in the Batwara area of Srinagar.

As per the local news agency KNO, Nasir Sheikh, son of Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh and a resident of Batwara area, died from the fall.

Meanwhile, the local police have launched an investigation into both incidents.

SRINAGAR — A male dead body was found floating over waters in Jhelum River in central Kashmir's Srinagar district on Monday morning.

An unnamed official quoted by a local news agency said that a male dead body was sighted by some locals at Mujgund area in Shalteng Srinagar on Monday morning, who intimated the authorities about it.

Soon after intimation, a team of police reached the spot and shifted the body to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for legal medical formalities.

He said a case in this regard has been registered and further investigation has been initiated. The officer identified the deceased as Fayaz Ahmad Khan, son of Mohammad Shareef Khan and a resident of Khankha Mohalla Srinagar.

SRINAGAR — A heartbreaking incident occurred in the Noorbagh area of central Kashmir's Srinagar district as a minor boy drowned in the Jhelum River on Tuesday afternoon, according to officials.

Reports received from a Srinagar-based news agency indicated that 12-year-old Muneer Ahmad Khanday, son of Mohammad Maqbool Khanday and a resident of Noorbagh, met with the tragic accident in his hometown.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the boy was pulled from the river and rushed to SMHS Hospital Srinagar. Despite efforts by medical personnel, doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.

Meanwhile, the local police have launched an investigation into the incident.

SRINAGAR — The body of a man who leapt into the Jhelum River last month has been retrieved, officials confirmed on Saturday.

According to a statement from a local official quoted by a news agency, the deceased has been identified as Nazir Ahmed Matoo, son of Ali Mohammad Matoo, a resident of Tenbagh Eidgah in Srinagar. His body was recovered near the Shalteng bridge by the police.

Authorities revealed that Matoo had jumped from the Safakadal Bridge on February 29.

Police have initiated an investigation into the incident to understand the circumstances surrounding Matoo's tragic decision.

SRINAGAR — A week after an old bridge collapsed over the Jhelum River in the Gingal area, the body of one of the three labourers who fell into the river has been found.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the incident occurred on March 3 when three labourers fell into the Jhelum River at Gingal while dislocating the old bridge.

Search efforts were immediately launched to locate the missing individuals. After seven days of intense searching, the body of one labourer has been recovered from the Jhelum River in Razarwani Uri.

However, the fate of the remaining two labourers remains unknown as they are still reported missing.

Authorities continue their efforts to locate the missing individuals and investigate the circumstances surrounding the bridge collapse.

SRINAGAR — Three persons went missing on Sunday after an old bridge collapsed in Mohra Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla.

Reports said that three persons went missing after falling into river Jhelum while removing an old bridge in north Kashmir’s Uri Baramulla.

Soon after the incident, a rescue operation was launched by the Police, Army and Civil administration joined by local volunteers.

The officials identified the missing person as Shakeel Ahmad Mir son of Sayeed-ullah Mir, resident of Kupwara; Bilal Ahmad Reshi son of Abdul Ahad Reshi, resident of Arizal Budgam and Mohammad Aslam Chauhan resident of Anantnag.

PULWAMA — In the absence of any regulation and accountability, vested interest elements have defaced the once beautiful lookalike island in southern Kashmir’s saffron town Pampore.

Despite the ban on mining, the vested interest elements are busy extracting sand and eroding soil on the banks of river Jehlum in Pampore.

Some locals, while speaking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, said that there is a mafia that is controlling this sand extraction trade. They said some people own 20 to 30 boats to extract the sand. They said they have repeatedly raised the matter with the concerned officials but nothing changed on the ground.

The Geology and Mining Department has failed to initiate any action against these vested interest elements.

The locals said that Jammu and Kashmir Bank had once announced to set up a park on this ‘island’ for the general public, but now this land has been defaced by these vested interest elements.

They appealed to authorities to look into the matter and take action against those involved in illegal sand extraction.

SRINAGAR — The body of a man missing for the past 20 days has been recovered from the waters of the Jhelum River in the Safa Kadal area of central Kashmir's Srinagar district on Sunday afternoon.

According to a police official quoted by a local news agency, an unidentified decomposed body was retrieved from the Jhelum near Safa Kadal.

The authorities took the body into their custody, following which it was identified as that of Basharat Ah Bhat, son of the late Ali Mohd Bhat and a resident of Naid Kadal Srinagar, who had been reported missing since this month in 2023.

The recovery of Bhat's body has prompted further investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and subsequent demise.

Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause of Bhat's death and provide closure to his family and loved ones.

SRINAGAR — Authorities have identified the woman whose body was found along the banks of the Jhelum River in Sumbal area of Bandipora.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the body was spotted by local residents on Saturday afternoon.

"The body was retrieved for identification and necessary medico-legal procedures," the official stated. After completing the due process, it was determined that the deceased woman was Khatija Begum, the wife of Abdul Rehman Bhat from Kanidewar Nowhatta in Srinagar.

Subsequently, the body was handed over to the family for funeral rites.

SRINAGAR — The body of a woman was found on Saturday afternoon along the banks of the Jhelum River in the Sumbal area of Bandipora district.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the body was found near Ansari Motors in Shilvat Sumbal.

"A police team is currently on-site to recover the body for identification and necessary medico-legal formalities," the official stated.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, aiming to determine the circumstances surrounding the woman's death and identify any potential suspects or causes.

SRINAGAR — Authorities in central Kashmir's Srinagar district recovered an unidentified body from the Jhelum River in the Parimpora area on Friday afternoon.

According to an official quoted by a local news agency, the body, in an advanced state of decomposition, was found by local authorities.

Police have taken custody of the body, and efforts to identify the deceased are currently underway. Further investigation into the incident has been initiated.

SRINAGAR — After an extensive three-day search, the body of Mukhtar Ahmad Sheikh, who tragically drowned in the Jhelum River in Central Kashmir's Srinagar district, was recovered on Monday afternoon.

A police official disclosed that the victim, identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Sheikh, the son of Nazir Ahmad Sheikh and a resident of SD Colony Batamaloo, lost his life in the river at Lasjan on Friday evening.

Following days of concerted efforts, authorities successfully retrieved the body from the river, and it was promptly transported to the hospital for necessary medical and legal procedures.

The incident unfolded when Mukhtar Ahmad Sheikh drowned in the Jhelum River, along with an e-rickshaw, three days prior to the recovery of his body.

PULWAMA — A severe water crisis has engulfed the Kashmir region, triggered by an extended dry winter spell that has severely impacted its water sources, prompting officials to raise urgent alarms about the area's water supply.

The water level of Kashmir's primary river, the Jhelum, has plummeted to an unprecedented low, registering a mere 0.75 feet at the Sangam gauge. The once picturesque view of the river now appears starkly desolate, with sections of the riverbed dry and cracked – a sight never witnessed before. The alarming situation has sparked concerns about the future availability of water in the region.

Sanjeev Malhotra, Chief Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department, voiced his apprehension over the dwindling water levels, stating that the water supply is insufficient at the water sources, and they are unable to provide drinking water to their full capacity.

He underscored the impact of schemes relying on the Jhelum, elucidating, "We are digging small trenches to ensure that water is available for the pumps to lift and later for distribution."

Key water bodies supplying drinking water to a vast population, including Sukhnag, Kal Nag, and Dachigam, have experienced reduced discharge, exacerbating the crisis. Experts depict the situation as unprecedented and unavoidable, emphasizing the critical need for rain to replenish these water sources.

The Jal Shakti Department is managing the situation so far and has been dispatching water tankers to areas where the need is felt. However, officials from the department sounded alarm that the situation could deteriorate if the dry weather persists.

It is in place to mention here that the Valley has been under the grip of a prolonged dry spell with minimal snowfall this winter, resulting in a 79% deficit in December 2023 and a 100% deficit in January 2024.

Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department, attributed the abnormal weather patterns to the El Niño phenomenon, leading to a dry Himalayan region.

As per his analysis, the prolonged presence of El Niño, persisting for the last two months, is a major contributing factor to the ongoing dry spell. He cites the absence of western disturbances as a primary cause, with no significant relief anticipated in the near future.

Highlighting global atmospheric pressure shifts, he notes that such dry spells are witnessed in intervals of two to three years or even five years.

While a feeble Western disturbance is expected from January 15 to 16, offering slight relief, however, dry weather is predicted until January 20. MeT suggested a potential change after January 25, with various weather models indicating the possibility of rain or snow.

Meanwhile, the region remains on edge, anxiously awaiting relief from the prolonged water crisis.

SRINAGAR — The serene beauty of the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley turned into a scene of sorrow and tragedy as three individuals tragically lost their lives in separate drowning incidents on Sunday.

In the first heart-wrenching incident, two innocent minors met a devastating fate while taking a bath in the Shatulpora area of Sumbal in north Kashmir's Bandipora district. The victims' identities are yet to be confirmed, but reports suggest that they drowned in the river.

As news of the incident spread, the local community and the Bandipora Police swiftly joined forces to launch a rescue operation in hopes of locating and saving the young souls.

Tragedy struck again in the Panzinara area of central Kashmir's Srinagar district when Hazim Rashid, a 30-year-old man from Srinagar, drowned in the mighty waters of the Jhelum River.

Despite the frantic efforts of his family to save him, Hazim could not be resuscitated. His lifeless body was rushed to JVC Hospital in Bemina, where doctors sadly declared him dead. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

Adding to the series of unfortunate events, a young boy lost his life in an irrigation canal at Zalpora Sumbal. The eight-year-old victim, identified as Sujata Mehdi, son of Abdul Majeed Dar from Zalpora Sumbal, succumbed to the treacherous waters.

The police have taken cognizance of this heartbreaking incident, which marks the third drowning on this tragic Sunday.

As the entire Kashmir Valley mourns these devastating losses, authorities are urging the public, particularly parents and guardians, to be vigilant and take necessary precautions when near water bodies.

These heartrending incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the serene yet unpredictable waters of the Jhelum River.

SRINAGAR — An operation from the River Police is underway to trace the body of a Kupwara girl from the river Jehlum in Srinagar city.

Earlier, a 17-year-old girl jumped from the footbridge connecting Sonwar with Gadhanzpora Raj Bagh area of Srinagar into river Jehlum on Sunday evening.

An unnamed River Police official was quoted by the news agency KNT that since Sunday evening, the operation is underway and efforts are on to trace her body. He identified the girl as Rabiya Afzal, a resident of Trehgam Kupwara.

SRINAGAR — A woman on Saturday jumped into the river Jhelum near Amira Kadal Bridge in summer capital Srinagar while as a search and rescue operation has been launched, officials said.

The unnamed officials quoted by the news agency KDC said that following the incident, a rescue team including SDRF immediately rushed to the spot and launched searches.

They said a search operation to trace the woman was going on.

SOPORE — As the body of the Sopore teenager continues to remain untraced for the 11th straight day with rescue teams, another expert from Ganderbal with his extraordinary skills has started to try his luck.

An official told the news agency KNO that the search operation to trace the body of a teenage girl, who jumped into the river Jhelum in Sopore town, entered its 11th day on Thursday.

The expert swimmer from Kangan area of Ganderbal, Bashir Ahmed Mir (39) traveled 40 kilometers to reach Sopore to join the rescue and search operation team.

Mir, who possesses extraordinary swimming skills to rescue people from drowning and retrieving missing bodies from rivers and streams, is also a political activist affiliated with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for the past many years.

"I'm doing this social work in the name of Allah," Mir told KNO and claimed that he has saved almost 100 people who drowned.

Mir said the Jhelum has been polluted to a larger extent. "I used my techniques but the current temperature due to the Chilla-e-Kalan makes it more hectic to go deeper," he said.

Meanwhile, local fishermen communities who were part of the rescue and search operations have decided to call off the operation. While as an official from the SDRF said that they will continue the operation till any orders from the higher-ups.

Earlier, an expert of Pulwama Abdul Salam, a 64-year-old man from Kakapora area, who claims to have saved 18 lives and fished out at least 40 bodies from the various water bodies across the Kashmir Valley joined the operation, but Salam's expertise didn't pave anything, citing the flow of Jhelum near the spot.

SRINAGAR — The incessant rainfall in the past 16 hours has increased the water level of almost every water body, however, it is well below the danger mark in Jhelum, officials of the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department said on Wednesday.

A top official of the department said that the water level in Jehlum has increased but it is below the danger level at every spot.

He said that the water level in some Nallahs like Vaishaw in Kulgam has increased and all the teams are alert along with machinery to provide possible help to the people.

There is a possibility of significant improvement in weather from today afternoon and the water level will possibly receed after the weather conditions improve.

There are reports of cloudburst at several places but as of now water isn't flowing above banks anywhere and all field teams are on job to access the situation.

People can get information about water levels from the Kashmir Flood alert android app and they must avoid visiting Nallahs unnecessarily and water discharge in Nallah is very high, he added.

Chief Engineer, I&FC, Naresh Kumar said that the situation at present is under control.

“In Sopore and Tangdhar areas, small breaches have taken place in Nallahs where the restoration work has already been started,” he said.

About Jhelum, he said that the water is flowing above alert level, but it would receed once the weather conditions improve.

After heavy rains, MeT forecasts improvement in weather

After heavy rains in the last 24 hours in Jammu and Kashmir, the weatherman has forecast a ‘significant improvement’ in weather from Wednesday afternoon. Also, there are reports about fresh snowfall at Baltal Base Camp near Amarnath cave as well as Kausarnag in Kulgam and Gurez in Bandipora districts.

An official of the Meteorological department here said that during the last 24 hours till 0830 hours today, Qazigund received 75.2mm, Pahalgam 46mm, Kokernag 45.2mm, Srinagar 57.8mm, Kupwara 34.8mm, Batote 121mm, Banihal 100mm and Gulmarg 69.6mm of rainfall.

“Rainfall has stopped in north-western districts. There is presently light rain in a few places of central Kashmir and many places of south Kashmir,” he said, adding, “There will be a further decrease in rainfall intensity as the day progresses.”

There will be a significant improvement in the weather from today forenoon, he said. “From 23rd onward, there's no forecast of any major rainfall till next one week,” he said.

Due to continuous rain over the last few days, he said, landslides and flash floods have occurred in many vulnerable places, mainly in hilly areas. “People are once again advised to travel on Srinagar-Jammu Highway, Mugal Road etc. only after confirming the road status from traffic police.”

He also urged people to avoid going or working near sloppy Nallas as “flash flood often occur suddenly”.