The MeT department is predicting a somewhat feeble western disturbance to hit the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir somewhere at the fag of the month possibly bringing some snow on higher altitudes and rain in planes. This is a great sign and could not have come at a better time. The orchardists are a worried lot as are the tourism players.
Little thought has been given to the houseboat owners whose houseboats have a higher chance of going upside down as they are always on a slanted surface: if the water level goes down it can slide unstoppably and possibly turn upside down breaking the core makeup of the houseboat. Last year we saw that one houseboat got almost permanently beaches on the banks of river Jhelum and the owners had to put in great efforts to keep the base wet round the clock. Imagine the great effort required in this regard.
With water levels in Jhelum hitting record lows it is next to impossible for about a hundred-odd houseboats to maintain their composure. If it does not rain now a time will come when they will touch the surface and dry up irreversible. That would be a home list for a hundred families.
The government must take care of this scenario and immediately dispatch teams to check the current status of these houseboats and put up an imaginary timeline up to which these houseboat inmates can safely sleep in their houseboats. A sudden beaching or going to the surface can mean the houseboat overturning into the river in the middle of night which can consequently end up in higher number of casualties.
All being said and done, we just hope that this feeble western disturbance brings considerable rain and snow so that the water level rises in Jhelum and its tributaries. At present all hands must point skywards for prayers.
