Srinagar, Feb 20: Fresh rains and snowfall broke a prolonged dry spell in Kashmir.
Fresh snowfall was recorded in several higher reaches of Kashmir, while rains lashed plains, officials said.
Light snowfall was recorded at the famous tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam, as well as in Doodhpathri in Budgam district. They said light snowfall was also recorded in the Heerpora area of Shopian and Uri in Baramulla.
The plains of the valley, including Srinagar, were lashed by intermittent rains, they added. Srinagar witnessed light rainfall, bringing the much-needed respite as multiple water bodies and springs had dried up due to no precipitation in the area. As January and February so far saw negligible precipitation, it led to the drying of water bodies and caused rampant forest fires. So much so that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir had to postpone the Khelo India Winter Games due to insufficient snow in the Ski Resort Gulmarg.
Many other places in the higher reaches also witnessed fresh snowfall.
The wet weather spell, along with the forecast of more precipitation, has raised hopes among the people of reducing the high rainfall deficit in Kashmir.
Kashmir has witnessed a mostly dry winter this year, with January and February recording a precipitation deficit of around 80 percent.
“We have been waiting for rains and snow as we are facing a drought-like situation due to a deficit in precipitation this year. We are thankful to God that there has been fresh snowfall and rainfall, albeit little,” resident Mehraj Ahmad said.
Ahmad expressed hope of more precipitation in the coming days to mitigate the suffering of the people.
The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain or snow in many places on Thursday.
It said while the weather is likely to remain cloudy from February 21-23, light rain or snow is possible at scattered places on February 24-25, and light to moderate rain or snow at many places is likely on February 26-28.
Global warming is impacting the weather patterns of Jammu and Kashmir drastically. With January 2025 being one of the driest ‘Chillai Kalan’ periods in many decades, the water bodies across the Kashmir division are drying up, sounding an alarm for the summer. The MeT department has predicted a wet spell across the region in the next 24 hours.