Srinagar, Dec 12 (KNS): Kashmir Valley experienced its first snowfall of the season on Thursday, bringing an end to a prolonged dry period. The snowfall has been a welcome change for both tourists and local farmers, who have been facing harsh weather conditions recently.

The plains of north and south Kashmir saw light snowfall, while areas at higher altitudes received moderate to heavy snow. Popular tourist spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam received around 2 inches of snow, while areas like Sonamarg, Sinthan Top, and Peer Ki Gali recorded up to 12 inches. However, Srinagar, the main city, did not see any significant snowfall.

Local MET department had predicted a wet spell, and the snowfall brought some relief after a cold wave that had affected the region for several days. Temperatures in Srinagar had dipped to as low as minus 5.4°C, with Gulmarg and Pahalgam also recording very cold temperatures. However, temperatures improved slightly on Wednesday night, offering some relief to residents.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The intense cold and snowfall are linked to the La Niña weather pattern, which has been influencing weather in the region. La Niña is known to cause colder winters and more snowfall, as seen in previous years like 2018-2019 and 2021-2022. Experts say this year’s winter might be harsher, with more snowfall expected in the coming weeks.

However, the long dry spell before the snowfall had a negative impact on agriculture, especially the apple crop. Farmers reported damage to their orchards due to pests and reduced fruit shelf-life. Experts noted that the dry weather also led to increased apple scald and stem canker diseases.
Despite the challenges, the snowfall has brought hope for better weather conditions in the valley. (KNS)