Kashmir's prolonged dry spell ends, hilly areas turn white with rain and fresh snowfall

After months of unusual drought in the Kashmir Valley, rain and snowfall have finally changed the weather. Torrential rains were recorded in Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara, Bandipora, and several parts of southern Kashmir, while moderate to heavy snowfall in upper areas has covered the entire region with a white blanket. The change in weather has not only been welcomed by the local population but also by farmers, the tourism sector, and environmental experts, who have termed it a 'blessing' and a return to better weather.

According to the Meteorological Department, the valley had been experiencing severe dryness over the past few weeks, resulting in a significant decrease in rivers, streams, springs, and groundwater reserves. The recent spell of rain and snow has somewhat alleviated this crisis. Official data shows that several plains in Kashmir experienced intermittent rainfall on Wednesday, while northern and southern Kashmir saw relatively heavier rainfall, leading to a noticeable drop in temperature.

Areas that received fresh snowfall include Sonamarg-Zojila, Sadhna Top, Peer Ki Gali, and Razdan Top. Continuous snowfall has made it difficult to travel to these areas, and traffic has been temporarily suspended in several regions. The Bandipora-Gurez road has been completely closed due to heavy snowfall and slippery conditions at Razdan Top.

A government official explained the situation, saying, "Razdan Top is over 11,000 feet high, and the snow that accumulated overnight has made the road extremely slippery. As a precautionary measure, traffic from Bandipora to Gurez has been suspended until further orders. The road will be reopened once the weather improves and the road is cleared."

The snowfall in upper areas and rainfall in plains have increased the chill in the valley. There has been a significant drop in temperature overnight, and cold winds have made the weather even colder in several areas, including Srinagar. Fresh snowfall in Sonamarg and its surrounding areas has also attracted tourists. Several local hotel owners said that if the weather remains stable, they expect an increase in tourist activities in the coming days.

Reports of snowfall have also been received from the Kargil district of Ladakh. Light to moderate snowfall occurred in the Zanskar, Barsu, and Zojila areas, while the Kargil town and lower areas experienced rainfall.

Locals said that the rain and snow have not only increased the cold but also temporarily alleviated the water shortage that had been persisting for several months. The Kashmir Valley's various districts, particularly Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Anantnag, and some upper areas of Kishtwar, are expected to receive more snowfall.

In this context, the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority has warned of a low-risk avalanche in areas above 2,500 meters, particularly in sensitive areas of Bandipora, over the next 24 hours. The authority has appealed to people to avoid unnecessary travel and not venture near snow-covered slopes.

The valley had been facing a severe water shortage over the past few months. The dry weather had dried up springs, affected several power projects, and put agriculture at risk. However, the fresh snowfall has brought some relief to this dire situation. Farmers in northern Kashmir say that the rain and snow have given new life to wheat and mustard crops, and the horticulture sector is also expected to benefit.

According to the Meteorological Department, the weather is likely to remain dry from March 12 to 14, after which clouds may gather again, and light rain or snowfall is possible in hilly areas. The temperature is expected to drop further over the next few days, and citizens are advised to take precautions and wear warm clothing.

The administration has appealed to people and tourists to avoid traveling on mountain roads during the weather change, as the risk of avalanches and landslides is higher after snowfall.