In Indian-controlled Kashmir, an ancient spring within the Achabal Mughal Garden near Anantnag—a vital water source for 20 surrounding villages—dried up amid extremely dry weather conditions, marking an unprecedented event in living memory. Although the spring revived after fresh rain and snowfall, the incident has heightened fears among locals that climate change may soon jeopardize the region's precious water resources. Multiple springs and streams, including tributaries of the Jhelum River, have also been severely affected, leading to widespread water shortages and prompting reliance on government-provided tankers.
Elderly resident Saja Begum was seen expressing her anguish as the spring vanished, a poignant moment captured in a viral video that has stirred public concern. Weather officials report that Kashmir has experienced over an 80% deficit in rain and snow since the beginning of the year, accompanied by daytime temperatures significantly above normal. This uncharacteristic weather has strained daily life and forced the cancellation of the national winter games in Gulmarg, a renowned ski destination.
Experts warn that these extreme weather patterns are clear signs of global warming. The local government urges a more proactive approach to water management and conservation, emphasizing that residents must alter their long-standing water consumption habits. The unfolding situation in Kashmir serves as a stark reminder of the broader, potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change on fragile ecosystems.

Learn more by visiting The Marietta Times' "Dry Indian weather: Famed for pristine lakes, Kashmir faces a water crisis."