Winter in the Himalayas should mean blanketing snow, and for Gulmarg in Kashmir, one of the highest ski resorts in the world, that usually means thousands of tourists. This year, the deep powder once taken for granted is gone.
The higher reaches of Gulmarg – Affarwat and Kongdoori – famous as a skiers' paradise with steep and dizzying descents has also been without enough snow for downhill skiing.
Kashmir weather: Despite bone-chilling conditions in the valley, a dry spell persists. Minimum temperature is lower than normal leading to freezing nights while days are warmer than usual. On Tuesday, Srinagar recorded recorded a higher maximum temperature than Jammu. Meanwhile, netizens have drawn attention to snow-less scenes in Gulmarg. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah recently shared images from previous years, noting the unprecedented dryness in Gulmarg this year.
Reduced snowfall in the valley has prompted worries such as low footfall of tourists and potential water scarcity, which could have far-reaching impacts on the environment and daily life of the residents.