Achabal and Verinag Springs Face Unprecedented Water Crisis as Streams Vanish
For the first time in Kashmir’s recorded history, the iconic Mughal gardens—symbols of the region’s rich heritage—stand without water. The Achabal spring, once a gushing marvel of nature, is now nearly dry, while Verinag, the very source of the Jhelum River, has reached an alarmingly low water level.
Several streams that traditionally flowed with glacial meltwater by the end of February have shockingly disappeared, painting a grim picture of the region’s escalating water crisis.
Environmental experts warn that this unprecedented drought could be a result of shifting climate patterns, deforestation, and over-extraction of groundwater. “This is an alarming sign. Springs like Achabal and Verinag have never experienced such depletion in living memory. If this continues, Kashmir’s water ecosystem will face irreversible damage,” said a senior hydrologist from Kashmir University.
The drying up of these springs poses a direct threat to Kashmir’s centuries-old irrigation system, drinking water supply, and the biodiversity that thrives around these water bodies. Moreover, the Mughal gardens—an integral part of Kashmir’s tourism industry—face an uncertain future, with the absence of their signature water channels diminishing their grandeur.
Local residents, many of whom rely on these springs for daily water consumption, describe the crisis as a nightmare. “We have never seen Achabal without water. This is beyond shocking,” said an elderly resident of Anantnag.
With no immediate solution in sight, experts call for urgent conservation measures, reforestation drives, and sustainable water management to mitigate the crisis before it worsens. The drying of Kashmir’s historic springs is more than just an environmental issue—it is a wake-up call for authorities and the public alike.
If Kashmir’s lifelines continue to disappear, the Valley’s future may face an unprecedented ecological and cultural loss.
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