80% rainfall deficit in early 2025 threatens Valley’s rice crop; Jhelum water levels at historic low
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD):Across Kashmir, farmers stand in their paddy fields with hope fading fast. With the skies refusing to deliver rain, the region is grappling with a deepening drought-like situation that threatens the backbone of its agrarian economy.
The Valley has recorded an 80% rainfall deficit in early 2025, with an overall seasonal shortage exceeding 40%. The impact is stark and widespread—paddy fields are cracking, water sources are depleting, and irrigation systems are failing.
The Jhelum River, Kashmir’s lifeline, has shrunk alarmingly. At Sangam, it flows at just 0.96 feet, compared to the average 12 to 18 feet for this time of year. At Pampore, the river’s gauge reads -1.16 metres, far below the seasonal norm of 3.5 to 4.5 metres.
Farmers from north to south—Baramulla to Pulwama, Bandipora to Anantnag—are sounding the alarm as irrigation canals and tube wells run dry. Many have delayed or completely skipped sowing due to the unavailability of water.
“Without rain, this season is finished,” said Abdul Rahman, a farmer in Shopian. “We can survive a poor yield, but not a total failure.”
Experts warn that if rains do not arrive soon, Kashmir’s food security and rural economy could face a serious blow. The agriculture department is reportedly exploring contingency plans, but with no rains forecast in the coming days, the anxiety continues to rise(DD)