Context:
- Growing energy challenges in extreme weather conditions.
- Reflects the interplay of infrastructure limitations, environmental concerns, and traditional practices.
Relevance : GS3 (Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure)
- Chillai Kalan:
- A 40-day harsh winter period in Kashmir with sub-zero temperatures.
- Srinagar recorded its coldest night in 33 years at -8.5°C, freezing water pipes and impacting daily life.
- Energy Crisis:
- Unscheduled 12-16 hour power cuts rendered electric heating gadgets ineffective.
- Dependency on traditional heating methods like kangris, bukharis, and wood-based hamams resurged.
- Economic Impact:
- Increased demand for firewood and charcoal boosted local businesses.
- Residents faced financial setbacks due to unused modern heating investments like electric hamams and air conditioners.
- Challenges for KPDCL (Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited):
- Overloading during winter damages transformers and circuits, prolonging outages.
- Infrastructure strain despite maintaining transformer banks for rapid repair.
- Safety Concerns:
- Ice-covered roads pose risks for motorists, requiring extra caution.
- Environmental ConcernsReverting to wood for heating raises questions about deforestation and air quality.
- Highlights the urgent need for sustainable, reliable energy solutions in extreme climates.
- Way ForwardInfrastructure Development: Modernize energy distribution and storage to withstand peak winter demands.Renewable Energy: Promote solar and wind energy tailored to Kashmir’s geography.Community Initiatives: Encourage the judicious use of electricity and adopt hybrid heating systems.
