Jammu and Kashmir experienced its driest year in five decades in 2024 as the below-normal precipitation continued for the fifth consecutive year, with a sharp 29 per cent deficit in rainfall compared to the annual average of 1232.3 mm, weather experts said on Saturday. This marks the fifth consecutive year of below-normal precipitation in the Union Territory.
With the 2024 figures nearing the record low of 802.5 mm in 1974, the region’s precipitation levels continue to dwindle. The prolonged deficit has left rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater sources under stress, while farmers and residents face increasing challenges due to reduced water availability, leading to concerns over water scarcity and its impact on agriculture, hydropower, and daily life.
The monthly data for the year 2024 reveals the severity of the deficit, with the year starting off with a staggering 91 per cent shortfall in the month of January, the weather expert said.