Winter’s icy grip has tightened across Kashmir, with night-time temperatures dropping to incredibly low levels. Srinagar, the summer capital, shivered at over -5 degrees Celsius last week. On December 21, the temperature dropped to -8.5 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest night of the season so far. However, amid this bitter cold, another type of cold persists: intermittent power supply that causes significant inconvenience to residents.

As the mercury continues its downward slide, the energy situation appears to be following a similar trend. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, currently stationed in the valley to personally supervise the crisis management during this difficult period, stressed the importance of taking effective measures to combat power shortages and ensure essential services to the residents. The CM presented a comprehensive plan to manage peak electricity demand and directed officials to not only prioritize efficiency in maintaining stable power supply during the harsh winter but also strictly adhere the planned reduction plan. However, the gap between promises and implementation is evident in the stories of residents facing persistent power cuts despite the installation of smart meters. And it is time for the newly elected government to ensure that its decisions are also followed on the ground.

That said, this winter’s record cold took people by surprise. Last winter, the valley experienced an exceptionally warm winter from November to January – including the harshest 40-day period of Chillai Kalan – marked by an absence of snowfall and daytime temperatures exceeding 15 degrees Celsius, comparable to those of New Delhi. This unusual heat set off the alarm. This has sparked concerns about depleting glaciers, which could impact water bodies and pose problems for agriculture and hydroelectric installations. But fortunately, apart from irregular heat waves, the summer passed without major consequences for agriculture. The situation in Kashmir, one of the coldest places in India, experiencing a deviation from its winter norms, highlights the broader impact of climate change on various regions.

This winter is the opposite of the previous one. The temperature has fallen to its lowest level but the snowfall has so far been very insufficient. Only the higher reaches experienced some snow while most of the plains, including Srinagar, await the gift of winter. According to forecasts by the weather service, the cold will only get worse in the future and the irregular power supply will make life even more difficult for people. As temperatures drop and demand for electricity increases, the government and the Ministry of Power must work together to find sustainable solutions to this persistent problem.

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