(Asian News Hub) – The less than usual amount of snowfall during the 40-day-long winter ‘Chillai Kalan’ or Big Cold in the Kashmir Valley has caused concern among farmers and experts who believe it can have adverse effects on the agriculture and horticulture sectors, UNI reported.
The ‘Chillai Kalan’ is not only famous for its chilly weather but also for heavy snowfall. But this winter it recorded far less snowfall than usual.
Experts believe that the below normal snowfall recorded during the Chillai Kalan which lasts from December 21 to January 30 can have adverse effects on the agriculture and horticulture sector this year.
“Below normal snowfall in Chillai Kalan could lead to water shortage, which would have a direct impact on agriculture and horticulture,” Coordinator Department of Geo-informatics, Dr Irfan Rasheed, told UNI.
He said although heavy snowfall cannot be ruled out in February or March but that spell of snowfall melts quickly due to the change in weather, he said, and added that snowfall in December or January lasts longer amid minus temperature which is more beneficial for generating water resource that comes in handy all year round.
Dr Irfan said that two feet of snow has fallen on some hilly areas during the Chillai Kalan, but as a whole there has been less snowfall than usual. “Water scarcity is likely to affect production which could be detrimental to the farmers.”
The statistics issued by the concerned department stated that during January and December in the year 2020-21, 212.5 mm of rainfall was recorded while during the same months of year in 2021-22 only 129.8 mm of rainfall was recorded.
Similarly, in the border district of Kupwara, a total of 185.4 mm of rainfall was recorded during December and January in 2020-21 and 96.5 mm of rainfall in 2021-22.
In South Kashmir’s Qazigund town, 226.1 mm was recorded in 2020-21 compared to 2021-22 when only 186.4 mm was received.
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A renowned meteorologist of Srinagar, Faizan Arif, said that the below normal snowfall during the peak winter months leads to water shortage which would directly or indirectly affect everyone in the valley.
He said: “Below normal snowfall in January will affect the coming season when the water is needed the most and could cause worries to the farmers.”
Snowfall during February and March will not stay for long due to the change in weather and will melt soon, he added.
Faizan said that last year above normal rainfall was recorded in only two out of 12 months while below normal rainfall was recorded in the remaining 10 months.
He said the water level in the Jehlum has dropped considerably and at places the surface of the Jehlum is seen to be dry.
The meteorologist said there are no clear chances of heavy snowfall during February.
He said due to global warming, glaciers are melting fast. Even small glaciers have vanished.
“It is also the result of global warming that there is an imbalance in the environment” Arif said.
He said “due to this imbalance, unseasonal rains and snowfall occur and the earth starts growing green besides trees and plants starting blooming prematurely.
“We must take initiatives to preserve water and it is important for the government to use new techniques to save water conservation in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Ghulam Hassan, a farmer, said that agriculture depends on abundance of water and if there is shortage of water then the crops would be affected. He said day to day needs of his family is dependent on his orchard. If the crop is good, his life will run smoothly.
It is pertinent to mention here that last year the Kashmir Valley witnessed heavy snowfall during the Chillia Kalan besides breaking the night temperature record.
