All higher areas of Kashmir experienced snowfall in the past 12 hours, with temperatures rising above freezing except at Gulmarg ski resort. Tourists currently in the Valley for New Year’s Eve celebrations were excited to see snowfall at Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam tourist spots. The snowfall on New Year’s Eve created a picturesque setting for this year’s festivities, covering Gulmarg and other tourist destinations in white.
Kashmir attracted tourists from various parts of the country, many of whom were witnessing snowfall for the first time. Hotels in Srinagar and Gulmarg are fully booked, with Sonamarg and Pahalgam also seeing some tourist activity this winter. The minimum temperatures rose above freezing across the Valley due to cloud cover overnight, except in Gulmarg where it was minus 3 degrees Celsius.
Srinagar recorded 2.3 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam had 1.8 degrees as the minimum temperature. Jammu city experienced 10.4 degrees Celsius, Katra town 10, Batote 8.8, Banihal 5.9, and Bhaderwah 4 degrees as the lowest temperatures of the night. Despite snowfall in the hills, residents of central Kashmir, Srinagar, and other plain areas of the Valley have yet to witness the season’s first snowfall.
An earth scientist expressed doubts about the current snowfall’s impact on replenishing water reservoirs in the mountains. He highlighted the need for significant snow accumulation in the plains to ensure water availability during the summer months. The ‘Chillai Kalan,’ a 40-day period of severe winter cold, began on December 21 in Jammu and Kashmir, with no substantial rain or snowfall so far. The absence of heavy snowfall during Chillai Kalan could pose challenges for horticulture, agriculture, and drinking water supply in the upcoming summer months.
