With heavy snowfall this season, vacationer spots in Kashmir, together with Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam, are blanketed in white. Gulmarg, a globally famend vacationer vacation spot, has change into the prime attraction for guests from throughout India and overseas. The Gulmarg bowl obtained two inches of snow, whereas Kongdori, the primary cease of the Gondola cable automotive, noticed an inch of snow, and Uparvat, the second cease, collected one foot of snow.
Regardless of freezing temperatures of minus 5 levels, a whole lot of vacationers have been seen dancing and singing at Uparvat, positioned at an altitude of 13,500 ft. Many had visited Kashmir particularly to expertise snowfall.
Sharad and Steven, guests from Andhra Pradesh, expressed their pleasure: “It’s snowing, it is very chilly, and our arms are frozen. Kashmir is gorgeous. We have been praying for snow, and at the moment our want got here true.”
On the first cease of the Gulmarg Gondola, comparable enthusiasm was noticed. Though the snow was lighter and the temperature was minus two, hundreds of vacationers gathered. Located at an altitude of 10,050 ft, the decrease stress made this spot extra accessible, attracting guests for snowboarding, pictures, and dancing.
Honeymoon {couples} have been seen reveling within the expertise. Veena Kumari shared, “That is my first go to, and I’m thrilled. I didn’t count on snowfall, but it surely’s a dream come true.” Vijay added, “That is my first journey with my spouse, and we’re so glad. We didn’t count on snow because it was sunny earlier, however now it appears like a blessing.”
The snowfall has introduced a surge of vacationers to Gulmarg, filling resorts and guesthouses forward of Christmas and New Yr celebrations. Tourism trade staff are equally delighted. Farooq Ahmed, a vacationer information, mentioned, “Earlier, every thing was inexperienced, and vacationers have been disenchanted. However now, with snowfall, they’re glad, and our work has elevated. January to March is ski season, and snowfall ensures extra enterprise.”
The Jammu and Kashmir tourism division is getting ready for winter tourism, planning particular applications for Christmas and New Yr, together with snow festivals at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg.
Nonetheless, the snowfall has additionally led to a pointy drop in temperatures. In Srinagar, the minimal temperature was recorded at minus 3.Three levels. Pahalgam registered minus 6.8, Sonamarg minus 7, and Gulmarg, in Baramulla district, recorded minus 9 levels, the coldest within the Kashmir division.
In Ladakh, Nyoma village recorded minus 12.7 levels, whereas Leh skilled its season-low of minus 12.Eight levels. Zojila Cross, connecting Ladakh with Jammu and Kashmir, reported a chilling minus 20 levels.
Contemporary snowfall has disrupted journey, with roads connecting Ladakh to Jammu and Kashmir closed as a result of snow accumulation. The Jammu and Kashmir Police Site visitors Division has additionally shut Mughal Street and Sinthan Street. Efforts are underway to clear the roads for site visitors.
The Meteorological Division has forecast snowfall between December 12 and 13, prone to trigger an extra drop in temperatures. This 12 months, the division predicts a La Niña impact, bringing harsher winters from Kashmir to Delhi.
