Residents of Sirmaur face uncertain winter

Sirmaur district has been reeling under a severe cold wave for the past two weeks, with minimal rainfall aggravating the situation. While areas like Nauradhar, Haripurdhar and the Churdhar mountain range experienced snowfall last week, the district remains largely dry, with 70% of the region still under the grip of a prolonged dry spell.

Residents in high-altitude areas continue to face icy conditions, with earlier light snow and frost forcing them to stay indoors. In contrast, low-lying areas such as Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Dhuala Kuan, Kala Amb, Sarahan, Shillai, Renukaji, Rajgarh and Ronhat have not received significant rainfall for the last four months. The persistent lack of precipitation has led to an intensification of the cold and dry weather, leaving both residents and farmers in distress.

The cold wave has brought life to a standstill in several parts of the district. Markets in both plains and high-altitude areas appear deserted by evening, as plunging temperatures drive people indoors. In the upper regions, night temperatures have dropped to freezing levels, while the plains are battling light fog and biting cold.

In the past 24 hours, Nahan recorded a minimum temperature of 7°C, Paonta Sahib 6°C and Dhuala Kuan a chilling 3°C. The cold and dry conditions have also led to a rise in cases of cough and cold among residents, adding to the health challenges of the season. Farmers and orchardists are increasingly worried about the lack of rainfall. Since mid-September, apart from light drizzle in December, the district has seen no substantial rainfall. The prolonged dry spell is taking a toll on agriculture, with crops suffering due to insufficient moisture.

The district’s rivers are also running low, impacting hydropower generation. The Giri Hydropower Project at Jaton Dam, the district’s primary hydropower facility, has reported a significant drop in water levels. According to the project’s resident engineer, the power generation capacity has plummeted to 10 MW, a sharp decline from its maximum capacity of 60 MW. The project requires a water flow of 23 cusecs per second to operate efficiently, which has not been met due to the reduced river levels.

With no significant rainfall in the forecast, Sirmaur’s residents and farmers face an uncertain winter. Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation, but the prolonged dry spell poses a significant challenge to agriculture, public health, and power generation. As the district battles this dual challenge of cold waves and dry weather, timely intervention and support from the administration will be critical to alleviating the hardships faced by its people.