For the best experience, open
https://m.greaterkashmir.com
on your mobile browser.

Less snowfall in Kashmir

This change in weather pattern is very alarming for all of us
10:58 PM Jan 29, 2025 IST | Mushtaq Bhat
less snowfall in kashmir
Mubashir Khan/GK
Advertisement

Kashmir is known for its stunning natural beauty especially in the winters when snow covers the whole valley in a blanket of white. As snow falls, a sense of tranquility envelopes the region. Snow is part of Kashmir’s identity, culture and lifestyle. It brings merriment and miseries for the people of this region, all at once. Nevertheless other than beauty, snow brings with it an unwelcomed state of misery, and struggle. The intense cold wave grips the region leading to freezing of water bodies as well as water supply lines. In fact everything comes to a full stop.The season forces people to put on extra clothes and material to stay warm.

With electricity supply erratic, people resort to the use of Kangri, an earthen firepot, to beat the chill. It adversely affects the daily routine of locals, especially in hilly areas. Even people in cities suffer in a variety of ways.

However, winter is one of those rare blessings from God that make Kashmir unique and beautiful. But Kashmir is witnessing a decrease in snowfall every passing year. Its impact can be observed like dryness in winters, less rainfall in March and April, increased heat in summer; all this is quite alarming. It is evident that climate change-induced patterns have undoubtedly affected snowfall that will lead to social, economic, and even humanitarian issues in the future.

Advertisement

In Kashmir, snowfall in winter is as anticipated as the monsoon is in mainland India. Not only is it essential to ensure the water supply in the Himalayan region, the economy of Kashmir – where 70% of the people associated with agriculture and its allied sectors for livelihood – depends heavily on a good winter.

Advertisement

Climate change, deforestation, urbanization and pollution are considered as contributing factors to the declining snowfall in Kashmir, as indicated by various studies. This gives a clear image of how global warming is adversely affecting us. Such trends are expected in the next 30-40 years, and we need strategies to cope because the decline in snowfall will effect water reduction in hydroelectricity, drinking water supply, crop production and increase in forest fires, and agricultural drought. In Kashmir there are several rivers like lidder river in Pahalgam, Shaliganag in Doodhpathri, Doodhganga in Yousmarg, and waterfalls. The main source of all these rivers, canals are the glaciers. Glaciers are the snow covered mountains that cater water to rivers, for drinking purposes, and keeps the surrounding during summers cold and charming. Snow keeps the soil moisture and has immense benefits.

Advertisement

The current situation of decline in snowfall is a serious sign which would have adverse consequences. Experts fear that this prevailing trend is going to be more frequent in future which is a threat to human life.

Advertisement

Advertisement