Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 10 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a yellow alert warning of a high risk of forest fires across Jammu and Kashmir over the next seven days, despite recent spells of rain.

The alert, valid through April 16, cautions that forested areas in the region could face elevated fire risk and advised residents to dial emergency helpline 112 in case of incidents.

The warning follows a significant precipitation deficit during the winter months. 

Official data shows Jammu and Kashmir recorded 106.7 mm of precipitation between November and February, compared with a normal of 320.1 mm – a shortfall of about 67 percent, categorised as “large deficient.” 

February was particularly dry and unusually warm.

Weather conditions began to shift around March 10 with the arrival of successive western disturbances that brought intermittent rainfall through March and into April. 

While the wet spells helped reduce fire risk in Kashmir, the month still ended with an overall rainfall deficit of about 30 percent.

Forest officials said the recent moisture has limited fire incidents in Kashmir this season. 

Muhammad Ashraf Katoo, Divisional Forest Officer in Anantnag, said March and April are typically prone to forest fires, but only a few incidents were reported this year, mostly in early March.

He said that fire activity generally declines once vegetation becomes greener, with incidents becoming rare by May and remaining low through August in Kashmir.

However, officials warned that the Jammu region continues to remain vulnerable for much of the year, with some areas in north Kashmir, including Uri, also at risk.

Data from the Forest Survey of India indicates that forest fires continue to affect the region, though incidents have declined compared with last year. 

Government figures show 1276 forest fire incidents were recorded in 2024-25, affecting about 3551 hectares of forest area.

In the current 2025-26 financial year, more than 450 incidents have been reported so far, marking a decrease from the previous season. 

Most fires this year were reported between late February and early March before subsiding following continuous rainfall.

According to the “India State of Forest Report 2023,” J&K has about 21,387 sq km of forest cover and 2867 sq km of tree cover, together accounting for roughly 10 percent of its total geographical area. The report noted a loss of 40.61 sq km of forest cover between 2021 and 2023, with nearly 11 percent of forest areas classified under very high to moderate fire-prone categories.

An official from the State Disaster Management Authority said early warning systems and swift response measures have helped prevent loss of life, although vegetation and ecosystems have suffered damage.

The official said that forest fire risk remains closely tied to weather conditions and requires constant monitoring.