New York City on Tuesday witnessed its first significant snowfall in over 700 days, shattering a previous record of 400 days without measurable snowfall. The iconic Central Park reported a layer of snow, marking the end of an unprecedented period without substantial snowfall.
The resumption of snowfall in New York City, home to 8.5 million residents, brought about a flurry of activity as residents in various parts of the city engaged in clearing sidewalks after the long snowless streak, things that now trigger nostalgia in Kashmir experiencing one of its driest winters.
Simultaneously, parts of Europe faced their own weather challenges, with freezing rain disrupting travel in central and southern Germany. Davos in Switzerland where currently the World Economic Forum is being held also recorded heavier snowfall.
It is, however, disheartening that regions in India, known for snowfall, are experiencing a dry winter. Kashmir, Manali, and Shimla, typically blanketed in snow during the winter months, are facing an unusual absence of snow. The Chilla-i-Kalan in Kashmir, characterized by intense winter and heavy snowfall, is about to pass without snow. Weather forecasts predict dry conditions in the three regions until January 21, further emphasizing the impact of changing climate patterns.
Over the last two years, the growing tourism has gone a long way to shore up the Kashmir economy and brought back employment lost to the successive security and Covid-19 lockdown. The boom in tourism, which forms 6.8 percent of Kashmir’s GDP and employs over two million people, has also had a positive spillover effect on other sectors.
The absence of snow in both the plains and upper reaches, including popular tourist spots like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg, has cast a pall over the Valley’s tourism industry. The Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) reports a staggering 70-75% cancellation or postponement of bookings for January, highlighting the severe impact of the dry spell on the tourism sector.
The snowfall in New York City, contrasting weather events in Europe, and the absence of snowfall in parts of India collectively highlight the unpredictable nature of our changing climate. As we celebrate the return of snow to some regions in the west, we must also acknowledge the broader context of climate change and its far-reaching consequences on weather patterns across the globe. Meanwhile, in Kashmir, people anxiously await a change in weather patterns. The hope remains that the snow will return, rejuvenating Kashmir’s tourism industry and restoring its winter magic.
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