Kashmir: The picturesque Kashmir Valley is facing an unprecedented dry spell as El Nino’s warm phase grips the world.
Popular winter tourist destination Gulmarg, known for its snow-covered slopes that attract skiers from across the country, received barely any snow this season, raising concerns over the effects of global warming on India’s winters.
Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah took to social media to express his dismay over the current state of Gulmarg, a popular skiing destination that remains barren this January, a stark contrast to its usual snow-clad slopes.
Sharing comparative photographs from previous years, Abdullah highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “I’ve never seen Gulmarg so dry in the winter… If we don’t get snow soon the summer is going to be miserable.”
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El Nino, a climate pattern marked by the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, has disrupted weather patterns across the globe, including those in Kashmir. The phenomenon typically leads to warmer temperatures and altered precipitation cycles, which can result in drier conditions in regions like Southeast Asia during December to February.
Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Kashmir Meteorological Centre, confirmed the dry conditions, noting that both December and the early days of January have been devoid of precipitation. This year’s absence of early snowfall is particularly concerning, given that it has become an expected pattern over the last few years.
The ongoing El Nino event, which contributed to making 2023 the warmest year on record, is likely to continue exerting its influence into the next month. The lack of snow not only dampens the spirits of ski enthusiasts like Abdullah but also foreshadows potential water scarcity and ecological impacts in the summer months ahead.
As El Niño continues to challenge the climate of the Kashmir Valley, the region braces for the potential long-term effects on its environment, economy, and the livelihoods of its residents.
