Downpour breaks dry spell, replenishes Kashmir's parched saffron belt
Pampore, Dec 21: Ending a prolonged dry spell, snowfall was reported in the higher reaches of south Kashmir's Shopian district on Sunday, whilst widespread rainfall lashed the plains, bringing much-needed relief to farmers—particularly saffron growers in Pampore.
Peer Ki Gali, a key mountain pass on the Mughal Road connecting Shopian with Rajouri and Poonch districts in the Jammu region, received intermittent snowfall throughout the day.
An official said that by 1 pm, snow accumulation at the pass—located at an altitude of about 3,500 metres (11,500 feet)—ranged between five and seven inches.
Authorities said snowfall was limited to higher elevations, whilst lower areas of the Shopian district experienced steady to heavy rainfall. The plains of Shopian were lashed by rain since morning, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures, residents said.
The neighbouring Pulwama district also witnessed continuous rainfall. Pampore town, the centre of Kashmir's saffron cultivation, received steady rain throughout the day, offering relief after weeks of dry weather that had raised fears of crop stress and poor flowering prospects.
"For the last several weeks, the land was completely dry. We were worried the corms would weaken," said Ali Mohammad, a saffron farmer from Pampore. "This rain has come as a blessing. Better late than never."
Another farmer, Ghulam Nabi, said the dry spell had already begun to affect soil moisture. "Saffron needs timely moisture. Without rain, the corms do not develop fully, and the yield suffers. This rainfall will help the crop recover."
Farmers said the rain has raised hopes of salvaging at least part of the season. "If we had not received rain now, the damage would have been irreversible," said another grower. "This gives us some hope."
The fresh spell of rain and snow is also expected to help replenish water sources like Bulbulnag and Aripal springs, and groundwater levels across both districts, which had been under pressure due to the extended dry spell, officials said.
