Kashmir, blessed with glacier-fed rivers like the Jhelum and Chenab, is now facing a growing water emergency. By 2025, poor water management, climate change, and pollution have pushed the Valley toward severe scarcity.
Glaciers that supply most of the Indus Basin are shrinking fast due to rising temperatures and reduced snowfall. Districts such as Anantnag, Pulwama, and Kulgam are reporting dried springs and falling river levels. The Achabal spring—once a major source for Mughal Gardens—has left 16 villages without reliable water, threatening apple orchards and rice fields that sustain the local economy.
Human negligence is worsening the crisis. Untreated sewage and industrial waste have polluted major water bodies, including Dal Lake. Overuse of pesticides is poisoning soil and groundwater. Outdated distribution networks and poor planning mean that even available water fails to reach large populations in Baramulla, Kupwara, and other rural areas.
Geopolitical tensions add another layer of risk. Pakistan accuses India of violating the Indus Waters Treaty through new hydropower projects, raising fears of water disputes turning into regional flashpoints.
The impact on daily life is already visible: families ration water, children fetch contaminated supplies, and farmers face crop failures. Kashmir now stands at the edge of both drought and flooding—two extremes caused by the same mismanagement.
The way forward is clear: enforce pollution laws, repair and modernize water infrastructure, promote rainwater harvesting, and involve local communities in decision-making. Diplomatic engagement with Pakistan on water issues is equally critical.
Kashmir’s water resources are running out. Acting now is the only way to prevent a humanitarian and ecological disaster.
