Srinagar: As Jammu and Kashmir had scarce rainfall for past eight months leading to depletion of water sources, the government on Friday constituted State Level Committee for estimation of ground water resources in the state.
Headed by Administrative Secretary, Public Health Engineering, I&FC Department, the committee has been tasked to estimate annual replenishable ground water resources of the state in accordance with the Ground Water Resources Estimation Methodology.
The eight member committee has been also asked to estimate the status of utilization of the annual replenishable ground water resources.
Since July last year, the state has received scanty rainfall. The Chillia Kalan, the 40-days harshest winter period in which possibility of massive snowfall remains high, remained dry.
In Kashmir Valley, against an average snowfall of 198.2 mm from December to February the total snowfall received so far was 37 mm. Similarly owing to prolonged dry spell during last summer, the water level in Jhelum, the lifeline for Kashmir, had fallen to record low of 0.65 mm in October last year.
The committee members include Chief Engineers, PHE Jammu as well as Kashmir, Director, Rural Sanitation J&K, Director, Agriculture, Jammu/ Kashmir, Director, Industries, Jammu/ Kashmir, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board Jammu besides any member co-opted by the chairman.
