The sky is speaking

The sky above us has begun to speak in a new voice. The winds feel different, the rain comes at odd times, and the snow, once so familiar, now arrives late or not at all. This is not only true for faraway lands—it is happening in Kashmir too.The weather is changing, quietly but clearly. And people everywhere are beginning to notice.

A new pattern

In the past, people knew their seasons well. Farmers could count on the rains. Families planned for cold winters or hot summers. But now, even in the most developed countries, nature is not following its usual schedule. This year, places like Germany, Canada, and Japan saw winters with less snow and warmer days. In South America, heavy rains caused floods. In Asia, some countries had dry spells during the rainy season.

“Nature no longer follows our calendars,” says environmental writer Laila Thompson. “It follows the signs we have written into the earth—through pollution, deforestation, and burning fossil fuels.”

Valley in transition

In Kashmir, known for its beauty and clear seasons, change is also in the air. Winter came late this year. Snowfall in December was much less than usual. Some areas stayed dry until late January. There were days when people looked to the mountains and waited—but the white peaks took longer to arrive.

Farmers were among the first to feel this change. Our apples bloom earlier now, an orchardist in Shopian. “Sometimes the frost returns and damages the flowers. We don’t know what to expect anymore.”In places like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, tourists arrived hoping for snow but were met with cloudy skies and rain. Local businesses felt the difference. The valley, which usually wakes up under a white blanket in winter, looked brown and quiet.

Why this?

Scientists say these changes are part of a bigger issue called climate change. Because the Earth is getting warmer, the seasons are shifting. Glaciers are melting faster, rainfall is becoming irregular, and extreme weather is more common.

Deeper meaning

But beyond science, there is also emotion. Many people feel a quiet sadness when they see the seasons change so suddenly.

Children who once built snowmen and played with kangris (traditional fire pots) now sit indoors watching rain. Elders talk of the ‘old winters’—of snow so deep it touched the windows.

The good news is: we are not helpless. We can still protect the earth by planting trees, using less plastic, saving energy, and respecting nature. Small acts, done together, become powerful.

As author Amit Ray once said, “The environment is no one’s property to destroy; it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect.”

In Kashmir, schools are teaching children about nature. Youth groups are planting trees, cleaning rivers, and speaking up for the climate. The spirit of care is growing, just like spring after a long winter.

A hopeful ending, the weather is changing. The snow comes late. The rain arrives early. But if we listen carefully, we can still understand what the Earth is telling us.

As poet Rumi once wrote, “Try to understand the meaning behind the change—it’s not the end, but a new beginning.”

Let us walk gently into this new season, not with fear, but with awareness and hope. The sky is speaking—and we must learn to listen.

 Faroona Mujtaba, Educator at Birla Open, Mind International School Pampore