Srinagar: Kashmir's Gulmarg is experiencing a winter unlike the previous ones — a winter devoid of snow. The region, synonymous with snow-clad landscapes and winter sports, did not see any snowfall this time. It didn't even see a significant drop in the temperature, impacting both its environment and winter tourism. The maximum temperature is hovering between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius, which is 10-12 degrees more than normal.
Gulmarg, a hotspot for winter sports enthusiasts, is now left wondering how to tackle this unprecedented situation. The slopes, which used to be crowded with tourists and sports enthusiasts taking up skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating, now lie barren. The white blanket of snow is conspicuous by its absence, casting a shadow over the scenic town’s winter charm.
January, usually the peak season for Gulmarg, is half over, but the region is used to see even one flake of snow. This anomaly has left not just the landscape bare but also the local tourism industry in a state of despair. Hotel owners, ski instructors, and small-scale sleigh ride operators are among the hardest hit. The winter games, including the prestigious 4th Khelo India Games and various ski courses, now hang in uncertainty.
The Gulmarg Development Authority, after meticulous preparations for the winter season and the upcoming carnival, finds itself at the mercy of nature’s unpredictability. With no snow in sight, the festive spirit and economic anticipation have dampened. The region saw a healthy snowfall even last year.
The local meteorological department had little to offer in terms of "good news" as forecasts indicated no likelihood of snowfall in the Kashmir Valley, prolonging the anxiety of stakeholders in Gulmarg’s tourism sector. The underlying fear is not just about a season of loss but a symptom of a more significant environmental crisis.
ALSO READ | J&K: Dal Lake Remains Under Sheet Of Ice As Harsh Winter Tightens Grip On Srinagar
Sinthan Top Emerges As New Winter Destination In Kashmir
In striking contrast to the snow scarcity in other parts of Kashmir, Sinthan Top is emerging as a new winter attraction. Situated at an altitude of 12,414 feet above sea level, this mountain pass, bridging Anantnag and Kishtwar, is gaining popularity as a dependable winter destination due to its consistent snowfall, even as other traditionally popular tourist spots face unprecedented snow deprivation.
From October 2023, according to official data, Sinthan Top has welcomed approximately 1.46 lakh visitors, including 28 foreigners.
According to officials, tourists had to return home from Kashmir without experiencing a snowfall. Visitors, who arrived in Kashmir around New Year's Eve, hoping to enjoy skiing and other snow-related activities in the Gulmarg bowl, had to return disappointed due to a lack of snowfall.
ALSO READ | Kashmir's Peak Winter Period 'Chilla-I-Kalan' Brings Freezing Temperatures To Valley
However, the only silver lining is the snow at Sinthan Top, where some snow can be seen and has to offer some amount of visual treat.
Bangladeshi visitor from Dhaka Aslam Saleem was quoted as saying by PTI: "There is no snow elsewhere [other than Sinthan Top] in Kashmir in the month of January, but my heart filled with joy when I reached here. The weather is very good, Kashmir is truly a paradise."
According to PTI, Gulmarg in Baramulla district of North Kashmir received light snowfall on November 10 last year, during which a large number of tourists were also seen in the ski resort. That day there was snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir, while it rained in the plains.
What Weather Office Says
Meteorologists also say that this kind of winter conditions have been seen in North India for the first time in almost a decade. The situation has worsened due to the dense fog and severe cold in the plains. The meteorologists attributed the 'abnormal' cold to the El Nino phenomenon, which is responsible for devastating weather pattern disruptions worldwide.
It is believed that once it starts, El Nino lasts for several weeks or months. El Nino often occurs twice in 10 years and sometimes there is a possibility of it occurring even thrice. El Nino is the name of a marine phenomenon in the Mediterranean region of the Pacific Ocean, which occurs every few years in the coastal waters of Ecuador and Peru, located on the western coast of South America.
Locals and experts point towards global warming and pollution as potential reasons for the unforeseen change. This lack of snowfall raises critical questions about the long-term implications of climate change on regional ecosystems and economies reliant on natural seasonal cycles.
According to Mukhtar Ahmed, Director of Kashmir's Meteorological Department, there is very little chance of rain and snowfall in these areas till January 25. However, two weak western disturbances will arrive, but they will bring only a little snowfall in the higher mountains.