The enchanting imagery of Kashmir, a winter wonderland nestled in the Himalayas, adorned with a pristine sheet of snow-covered mountains, is a common perception. However, this season, the reality defies expectations as satellite images from the European Space Agency (ESA), analyzed by India Today’s Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team, unveil a disconcerting scene of Kashmir's renowned winter destinations devoid of snow.
From Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Tangmarg in the North to Pahalgam and Aru Valley in the South, these popular winter havens present a stark contrast to the typical snow-laden landscapes. Even as Chillai Kalan, the traditionally harshest 40-day period, has surpassed its midway point, the absence of snowfall in these regions is evident.
Areas like Gurez Valley, usually inaccessible due to heavy snow, currently enjoy an unexpected warmth, with minimal snowfall, allowing the Bandipora-Gurez road to remain open as of January 9.
Gulmarg, renowned for its bustling ski resort and vibrant ski racing activities on its pristine slopes, stands desolate and barren, stripped of its usual winter charm.
The Kashmir Valley encountered a substantial 79 percent rainfall deficit in December, with no imminent change predicted by the weather department over the next week.
According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast for Gulmarg, the region will not experience fresh snowfall, and the skies will remain clear until January 15.
Attributing this anomaly to El Nino, a climatic phenomenon characterized by elevated sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy highlighted its far-reaching impact on global weather patterns, including those governing precipitation in Kashmir.
“The Indian subcontinent currently lacks a strong western disturbance that brings moisture from the Arabian Sea and causes snowfall in the mountains. It turns feeble while approaching the subcontinent. El Nino is a very significant factor behind this phenomenon,” explained Roy.
The scientist anticipates minimal change in the weather patterns for Kashmir and North India in the coming weeks.
Weather experts assert that El Nino's influence has been apparent since November of the previous year and is expected to persist into the subsequent month.
In Southeast Asia, El Nino typically results in below-average rainfall conditions, particularly from December to February, accompanied by elevated temperatures.
The absence of the customary snow-covered slopes in Kashmir has left many visitors disheartened, particularly during the Christmas and New Year holiday seasons.
Expressing her disappointment, a local resident, Babita Raina, stated, “I bet this is the best place in the world. I come to this place every year to see snowfall. But I am a little disappointed with the continuing dry spell.”
Gulmarg’s usually vibrant meadows, attracting skiers in January, now echo with an eerie silence, underscoring the unprecedented nature of this season's weather patterns.
