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After two months of dry weather, snow has fallen again in the higher regions of Kashmir. Following this, tourists flocked to Kashmir to celebrate the Republic Day holidays. There are reports of occasional snowfall in tourist centers like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Gurez, Machil, Karna Doodpatri and Shopian.
Some parts of Srinagar city received light drizzle before dawn, after which it was sunny. The lowest temperature recorded in the city was minus 0.5 degrees Celsius. In other areas like Pahalgam, Khasigund and Gulmarg, temperatures also fluctuated with the onset of snowfall.
Gulmarg. Photo credit: Hari Mahidhar/Shutterstock
With the snowfall, the beautiful winter wonderland of Daksam along the historic Mughal Road is also full of tourists. Here you can enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountains and the pine trees rising into the sky.
Heerpora, the last village in Shopian section, received around 3 to 4 inches of snow. This is the second snowfall after the onset of winter, which attracts many tourists from Orissa, Punjab, Gujarat and NCR to Kashmir. However, tourists could not travel beyond Heerpora as the Mughal road was closed by authorities due to heavy snowfall on Peer Ki Gali mountain. Many tourists also flocked to Sinthan Top in Anantnag district.
A view from snowy Gulmarg. Image: REUTERS/Sanna Irshad Mattoo
Currently, Kashmir is witnessing the winter season known as Chilla-e-Kalan. A severe winter lasting 40 days is very difficult. In most parts of Kashmir, the minimum temperature is below freezing. All water bodies and water in pipes have turned to ice. With no snow falling, the entire valley experienced cooler nights and warmer days than normal.
“Chilla-e-Kalan” ends on January 31. Thereafter, the cold will continue during the 20 days of ‘Chilla-e-Khurd’ and the 10 days of ‘Chilla-e-Bacha’. Meteorologists have predicted light snowfall at most places in the valley by the first week of February.
Gulmarg Gondola, Asia’s highest ropeway project, is one of the most attractive winter activities in Kashmir. Last year, tourists reached Gulmarg in November when the first snowfall of the season fell.
It is estimated that more than a million tourists enjoyed the gondola ride between December last year. This has earned over Rs 108 crore for the J&K Cable Car Corporation, which operates the gondola ride. The Gulmarg Gondola is the most visited ropeway in India and, at 14,000 feet, the highest operating ropeway in Asia.
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