#Hydropower Archives | Kashmir POST

Forest Fires Ravage Kashmir Valley in Unprecedented Spate

January 23, 2026 Editor

Forest Fires in Kashmir Valley 2026: Causes, Impacts, Response, Climate Context | Kashmir Wildfire Crisis By: Javid Amin | 22 January 2026 A Valley Under Fire In late January 2026, multiple forest fires erupted across the Kashmir Valley, consuming large swathes of woodland, threatening residential settlements and wildlife habitats, and drawing a stark spotlight on the growing wildfire crisis in the region. Fueled by unusually strong winds and prolonged dry conditions, these fires have rapidly spread across districts such as Anantnag, Kulgam and Uri, stretching firefighting resources and raising alarm…

Kashmir’s Smart Meter Rollout Sparks Power Bill Shock: Why Households Are Paying More and What It Means for the Valley

January 23, 2026 Editor

Kashmir’s Smart Meter Push: When Modernisation Meets Public Anger Over Power Bills By: Javid Amin | 22 January 2026 For decades, electricity in Kashmir followed a familiar rhythm—erratic supply, predictable billing, and public frustration that rarely spilled onto the streets. That balance has now been disrupted. Across towns and villages in the Valley, the government’s push to replace traditional electricity connections with smart meters has ignited widespread protests, sharp political reactions, and a growing trust deficit between consumers and power authorities. What was projected as a technological upgrade promising transparency,…

Winter Snowfall Crucial for Kashmir’s Agriculture and Water Security, Warn Experts

January 10, 2026 Editor

Winter Snowfall Crucial for Kashmir’s Agriculture, Water Security and Economy: Experts Warn By: Javid Amin | 09 January 2026 Winter Snowfall Is the Lifeline of Kashmir, Experts Say Kashmir’s agriculture, horticulture, and water security are inseparably linked to winter snowfall, and any prolonged dry spell could trigger a cascading crisis across the Valley’s economy and ecology, experts have warned. As Kashmir witnesses increasingly erratic winters, scientists, hydrologists, and agricultural specialists caution that declining snowfall is no longer just a seasonal concern but a structural threat to food production, drinking water…

Dulhasti Stage-II Gets Green Signal Amid Indus Treaty Suspension: Power Project or Strategic Pivot on Chenab?

December 28, 2025 Editor

Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project Approved: Chenab, Indus Treaty Suspension & Strategic Impact Explained By: Javid Amin | 27 December 2025 When Power Projects Become Policy Statements The Union government’s decision to grant environmental clearance to the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district marks more than just another infrastructure approval. Coming at a time when India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan, the clearance signals a decisive shift in how New Delhi approaches water, power, and national security in the…

‘Winter Brings a Power Shock’: Kashmir’s Growing Energy Crisis

November 17, 2025 Editor

Kashmir Winter Power Shock: Demand Surges to 1850 MW as Supply Collapses By: Javid Amin | 16 November 2025 A Valley in the Dark As winter tightens its grip on Kashmir, the valley is facing more than just freezing temperatures—residents are grappling with a worsening electricity crisis. Demand has spiked sharply to around 1,850 megawatts (MW), while supply has plunged, creating a widening chasm that leaves homes, hospitals, and businesses in prolonged darkness. Power cuts of up to 16 hours a day are now a hard reality in some areas,…

Melting Dreams: Glacial Lake Floods Cast Shadow Over Kashmir’s Hydropower Future

September 3, 2025 Editor

GLOFs Endanger Key Projects Like Pakal Dul, Kiru, and Ratle—Experts Warn of Climate-Driven Infrastructure Collapse By: Javid Amin | 03 Sep 2025 A Collision of Dreams and Disasters Jammu and Kashmir, with its mighty Himalayan rivers, has long been seen as India’s hydropower powerhouse. Projects like Kishanganga, Uri, and Salal have already lit up millions of homes, while mega-dams on the Chenab River—Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, and Ratle— are under construction with an investment exceeding ₹22,000 crore. But beneath this promise lies a fragile foundation. As glaciers retreat and unstable…

Hydropower Drive Gains Pace in Jammu & Kashmir: Clean Energy, Complex Trade-Offs & the Question of Control

August 24, 2025August 24, 2025 Editor

Power Surge or Power Surrender? Unpacking whether J&K’s hydropower boom empowers the region — or centralizes control By: Javid Amin | 23 Aug 2025 J&K’s New Energy Moment Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) has long carried the stigma of being energy-starved despite being water-rich. The region, endowed with some of India’s most powerful rivers — the Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus tributaries — has the natural potential to become a clean energy hub. Yet, for decades, its citizens have suffered chronic electricity shortages, winter blackouts, and costly dependence on external power supplies.…

With Indus Treaty on Hold, India Invites Bids for 1,856 MW Sawalkote Hydro Project on the Chenab

August 1, 2025 Editor

India Floats Tender for Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project After Suspending Indus Waters Treaty By: Javid Amin | 31 July 2025 A Watershed Moment in India’s Water Diplomacy In a decisive and symbolic move, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)—signed with Pakistan in 1960—and simultaneously floated international tenders for the 1,856 MW Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River. This marks not only an ambitious boost to J&K’s hydropower capacity but also a significant recalibration of India’s policy over its western rivers. Treaty in Abeyance—Why It Matters On April 23, 2025,…

Ambitious Plan Unveiled: J&K Govt to Achieve Power Self-Sufficiency by 2027

March 6, 2025 Editor

Govt Committed to Offer 200 Units Free Electricity: J&K CM Omar Abdullah Jammu 05 March 2025: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Wednesday that Jammu and Kashmir aims to achieve self-sufficiency in power generation by 2027. As part of this ambitious plan, the government is committed to offering 200 units of free electricity to consumers, ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply. Self-Sufficiency in Power Generation The Chief Minister emphasized that the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) is prioritizing the development of hydroelectric power projects to achieve self-reliance…

Omar Abdullah Advocates for Rapid Development of J&K Hydropower Infrastructure

January 24, 2025 Editor

At another event in Bari Brahmana area of Samba district, Omar asserted the importance of a land and its people in forging their identity and exhorted them to never let it go. Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday asked Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDC) to assess the progress made in execution of new hydro- electric projects and the expected enhancement in power generation from these projects. During a meeting, Omar emphasised the need for timely execution of these projects to ensure their public utility and stressed…