Snow, showers revive Kashmir’s winter charm

Srinagar, Feb 27: After an extended dry spell that left Jammu and Kashmir grappling with a severe precipitation deficit, the recent wet spell has provided some much-needed relief, reducing the overall shortfall from 80 percent to 65 percent.

The latest forecast from the Meteorological Department indicates further improvements.

Between February 27 and March 6, above-normal precipitation is expected, while near-normal precipitation is predicted between March 6 and March 13.

However, meteorologists caution that while the situation has improved, it is still not enough to fully compensate for the prolonged dry conditions experienced since December 2023.

The prolonged dry spell had significantly worried farmers, particularly apple growers, who rely on adequate snowfall to replenish soil moisture essential for horticulture.

Farmers in Shopian, Pulwama, and Kulgam had expressed deep concern about potential crop damage due to the lack of snow, which affects both soil hydration and groundwater levels.

The dry spell had also impacted water bodies across the region, reducing river and stream flows, and raising concerns about drinking water shortages in summer and the potential decline in hydroelectric power generation.

The recent precipitation is expected to somewhat mitigate these concerns.

Kashmir’s tourism sector, heavily reliant on winter snowfall, had taken a hit due to the dry winter.

Popular destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam received less-than-expected snowfall, leading to a drop in tourist numbers.

However, the recent snowfall has revived hopes for the industry.

Gulmarg, a prime winter sports destination, received 20 cm of fresh snow, offering a much-needed boost to winter tourism activities.

While the snowfall has been beneficial in many ways, it has also led to disruptions in various parts of the region.

The Srinagar-Leh National Highway was temporarily closed due to heavy snowfall at Zojila Pass, where nearly 2 feet of snow accumulated.

Sonamarg, another high-altitude area, recorded over a foot of snow, further affecting road connectivity.

An avalanche in the Drass area also blocked a key route, prompting avalanche warnings from the district administration in Ganderbal.

In north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, heavy snowfall left several areas cut off from district headquarters, while power and water supply were disrupted.

Residents in Handwara and Rajwar complained about uncleared roads, making travel difficult.

Authorities have deployed men and machinery to clear the roads and restore essential services.

In addition to snowfall, J&K witnessed heavy rainfall in several regions, causing a significant drop in temperatures.

Areas like Nowgam and Handwara recorded the highest rainfall at 46.6 mm, while Sopore, Bandipora, and Tangmarg also received substantial rain.

However, heavy rains led to urban flooding in parts of Baramulla and Kupwara, where poor drainage systems worsened the situation.

Baramulla’s major marketplaces, including Women’s College Road and Azad Gunj, were submerged, causing losses to shopkeepers and severe inconvenience to residents.

Traders in Pattan and Kupwara expressed their frustration over inadequate drainage maintenance, calling for urgent intervention by municipal authorities.

As schools in Kashmir are scheduled to reopen on March 1, the government is considering extending the winter vacation due to the cold weather and ongoing snowfall.

If needed, the extension will apply primarily to primary and upper primary classes.

Authorities have warned of potential landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones in vulnerable areas, especially in Jammu and the Pir Panjal region.

Travellers have been advised to exercise caution as certain roads may remain hazardous due to the ongoing weather conditions.

While the recent spell of snowfall and rain has provided much-needed relief by reducing the precipitation deficit, the region still faces challenges, particularly in agriculture, water supply, and infrastructure.

Authorities remain on high alert, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the trend of improved precipitation continues.

Farmers, hoteliers, and local residents remain hopeful that the wet spell will ease concerns about water shortages and reinvigorate tourism and agriculture in Kashmir.

MET WARNS OF LANDSLIDES, DISRUPTIONS

The Meteorological Department also predicted moderate to heavy spells of rains and snow in J&K parts in the next 24 hours.

It said continuous rainfall in some areas likely to transition into snowfall might lead to potential disruption to transportation.

Several parts of J&K have received moderate to heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, leading to a decline in temperatures.

As per details shared by the Meteorological Department, the Nowgam and Handwara parts have recorded the highest rainfall at 46.6 mm, followed by Bandipora at 43 mm, Wular at 37 mm, and Kokernag at 38.6 mm.

Other notable places with significant rainfall include Sopore 33 mm, Asham 33.5 mm, and Tangmarg 36.2 mm.

The popular tourist destination Gulmarg received 23.8 mm of rain along with 20 cm of fresh snowfall.

Srinagar recorded 4.4 mm, while Qazigund and Pahalgam received 9.6 mm and 11.2 mm.

Experts have conveyed that the Jammu region is expected to have the highest intensity rainfall in the next 24 hours, followed by some regions of south Kashmir.

In the Jammu region, Banihal has received the most rainfall at 76.2 mm, Udhampur 12.4 mm, Poonch 15 mm, and Kishtwar 9 mm also recorded moderate rainfall.

However, Jammu city saw minimal rainfall at just 0.1 mm, while places like R S Pura and Burmal remained dry, the officials said.

In Ladakh, Leh recorded only a trace of precipitation, while data from Kargil and Drass was unavailable.

The officials said that the weather will likely be generally cloudy with light to moderate rain and snow at most places with isolated heavy rain and snow over both Kashmir and Jammu divisions till February 28. However, there is a possibility of improvement from February 28 afternoon.

From March 1 and 2, the weather conditions will remain cloudy with light rain and snow at isolated to scattered places they said.

The officials said that moderate rain and snow at many places in J&K is expected on March 3.

The officials said the weather conditions will remain generally dry from March 4 to 8.

The authorities have warned of a high risk of landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at vulnerable places which is expected to persist till tomorrow.

They predicted more precipitation in the coming days and have advised caution while travelling.

The precipitation is expected to bring relief from the prolonged dry spell in parts of the region.