Rivulets dry up in Kangra, people face water crisis

People in Kangra district have been experiencing a two-month dry spell. The state, which was ravaged by floods during the monsoon season, is ironically struggling with a water crisis due to poor inflow into local rivers and rivulets. There is no likelihood of rainfall in the coming days and experts have warned that the situation is expected to worsen.

The long dry spell in Himachal can be attributed to the lack of rain and snowfall in September, October and November. Experts attribute this to three major factors — the absence of strong western disturbances, a gradual increase in temperatures in the region attributed to climate change and the ongoing El Nino event in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The dry spell has caused a severe reduction in the water levels of rivers and rivulets that originate from Dhauladhars and other mountains. When the snow and ice defrost, rivers and streams get water. “The effect of the prolonged drought can create water shortage during the summer because of less snow in the hills,” says a principal scientist working at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur.

Due to the lack of snowfall this time, people may face a shortage of water for farming as well as drinking purpose during the summer.

A senior official of the Irrigation and Public Health Department says that the government and people in the state should be ready for future challenges posed by the prolonged drought. The barren and snowless peaks have also cast a shadow on tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

At present, over 50 per cent water supply and irrigation schemes in Kangra district are facing water paucity, he adds.