SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has fallen short of key groundwater monitoring targets while facing emerging contamination concerns and gaps in dam safety preparedness, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources has revealed in its latest report on Demands for Grants (2026–27).
The report highlights that against a groundwater monitoring target of 95, Jammu and Kashmir achieved only 75, reflecting a noticeable shortfall in assessment efforts. Similar gaps were recorded in geophysical surveys, where the Union Territory achieved 285 against a target of 325, pointing to limitations in data collection across its difficult terrain.
Data from the report shows that against a groundwater target of 95 units, Jammu and Kashmir achieved only 75, indicating a shortfall in monitoring and resource assessment efforts.
Similarly, in geophysical surveys, the UT recorded an achievement of 285 against a target of 325. The water level monitoring network in the region stands at 236 stations, reflecting limited coverage in a geographically complex terrain.
The report further reveals that the North Western Himalayan Region (NWHR), headquartered in Jammu, analyzed 7,599 groundwater samples over the last five years, indicating sustained monitoring efforts but also pointing to the scale of work required in the region.
On groundwater quality, Jammu and Kashmir shows mixed trends. While no samples exceeded permissible limits for electrical conductivity or fluoride, about 9.31 percent samples were found to have nitrate levels beyond acceptable limits, and 11.76 percent samples showed arsenic contamination. Iron contamination was also recorded in a smaller proportion of samples, highlighting localized water quality concerns.
The report also flags district-level contamination issues, noting that several districts in Jammu and Kashmir have been partially affected by nitrate and heavy metal contamination in recent years, underlining emerging environmental stress.
In terms of infrastructure, Jammu and Kashmir has nine major dams, of which only eight have their design inflow flood data filled on the national portal, and just two have undergone revised flood assessments. This raises concerns about preparedness in the face of increasing extreme weather events.
The report also points to hydropower infrastructure in the UT, noting that key projects such as Kishanganga are operational with early warning systems in place, while major projects like Pakal Dul and Kiru are still under construction but have incorporated such safety mechanisms. However, some projects like Upper Sindh-II are still in the process of implementing early warning systems.
Importantly, the Committee has flagged delays in installation of Digital Water Level Recorders (DWLRs) in Jammu and Kashmir and several other states, despite targets set under national groundwater monitoring schemes. The Committee has urged the Ministry to expedite installations, particularly in water-stressed and sensitive regions.
The report also highlights flood risks linked to upstream water releases, noting that sudden discharges from dams—particularly in neighbouring Punjab—combined with local rainfall have aggravated flooding in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Committee has called for stronger coordination and flood control mechanisms in downstream areas.
Additionally, the Central Water Commission has identified glacial lakes in Himalayan states, including Jammu and Kashmir, as potential threats. These lakes, formed due to melting glaciers, pose risks of sudden outburst floods, which could severely impact downstream populations and infrastructure.
