Srinagar, May 9 -- Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing an alarming rainfall deficit for the sixth consecutive month, triggering fears of a looming water crisis, declining river levels and stress on hydropower generation across the Union Territory.

Fresh rainfall data for April has further deepened worries, with J&K recording 86.5 mm precipitation against the normal 99.6 mm, marking a 13 percent deficit.

"The clouds over Jammu and Kashmir seem to have forgotten their way home," independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif said, warning that the prolonged dry spell was no longer just a seasonal anomaly but a sign of a deepening environmental concern.

He noted that precipitation levels have remained below normal since November last ye...