Lowest Snowfall In Seven Years; What Is Taking A Toll On Gulmarg

Gulmarg, known as Kashmir's wonderland and famous for its ski resorts, is facing a unique challenge this year - its renowned ski slopes remain closed to tourists due to insufficient snowfall.

The bare hillsides not only reflect concern for the Himalayan range but also suggest that climate change is contributing to adverse consequences.

For the first time in seven years, January has arrived with no snow, leaving both tourists and locals disappointed. The meadow, usually bustling with skiers, now sits empty and silent. Chairlifts and snow-beaters are inactive, and patches of melting snow have replaced the once four to six feet of accumulated snow.

Kashmir is experiencing an unprecedented dry spell this winter, affecting not only Gulmarg but also Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and other tourist destinations in the Union Territory.

Environmentalists and those dependent on tourism are expressing concern over the weather conditions. Several tourists have returned with great disappointment, and many have even canceled their flights.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there is approximately a 75% rainfall deficit through December and January, contributing to Gulmarg's dry conditions. Meanwhile, the plains have received no snowfall.

Mushtaq Ahmad, the director of IMD, stated, "Over the years, the glaciers have shrunk, and this year there has been no snow. The rate of shrinkage can be rapid due to the absence of snowfall, and the long-term implications of the dry spell could affect the groundwater level and horticulture sector too."

The dry spell is expected to continue until January 20, which is a crucial time for snow accumulation and glacier formation in the mountains.

What Is Making Kashmir Snowless?

This unusual pattern is connected to the El Niño effect, characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, which disrupts global weather patterns. During an El Niño event, the surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than usual, particularly at the equator.

This warming leads to a shift in atmospheric circulation that results in deficit rainfall over Indonesia, India, and northern Australia.

Hence, it's because of El Niño that Kashmir is suffering from dry spells, mild winters, and diminished snowfall