The mountainous region of Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty and heavy snowfall. When it snows in winter, the area is covered in a white blanket and this sight is heartwarming. The snowfall here is part of the natural beauty. The snowfall season gives a new color to the economy, society, and daily routines here. Snowfall in Kashmir usually begins in late November or early December.
The snowfall intensity is higher in the mountainous areas because the snow starts freezing quickly on the highest peaks here. When a white sheet of snow falls on the mountains, it changes the entire landscape. The snow freezing on the branches of trees and the white layers falling on the roofs of houses present a unique and charming sight. Life changes during snowfall. Roads are covered with snow and movement becomes difficult. Vehicles get stuck in the snow in the mountainous areas and the roads are often closed.
People prefer to walk and use special shoes to walk in the snow that prevent them from slipping. During snowfall, people face a reduction or change in their daily work. In mountainous areas, maintaining fields becomes difficult and many farmers make room for their livestock in their homes. Food shortages can also occur during snowfall, so people stock up in advance. Villagers spend time with each other by staying in their homes, and for them, this time is usually a time to strengthen their relationships with each other.
The beauty of snowfall in the mountainous areas is unparalleled in its place. After the snow freezes on the trees, mountains, lakes, and valleys, a unique scene is seen. This scene attracts tourists from far and wide and the tourism business of Kashmir also peaks during snowfall.
Although the snowy season is beautiful, it also brings with it difficulties. Strict measures have to be taken to prevent road closures, power outages, and extreme cold. In mountainous areas, snow often accumulates on the roofs of houses, which poses a risk of roof collapse. In addition, diseases also start spreading during snowfall and people face difficulty in escaping the extreme cold.
Movement becomes a challenge for people. Due to the accumulation of snow on the roads, the flow of traffic is affected, even government offices and educational institutions declare holidays during snowfall so that people do not face difficulties in traveling. People living in mountainous areas are often confined to their homes and for them, this is a time to stay connected to the world through social media or TV.
The people living in the hilly areas of Kashmir are hardworking and courageous. Even during the snowfall season, their routines do not slow down. They keep their fields clean, take care of their livestock, and engage in other tasks. Often, farmers clear the snow from the roofs of their houses so that water does not enter the houses. People melt the snow and use it as water and collect firewood for heating in winter.
The snowfall season in Kashmir is very important for tourism. During this season, tourists from all over the world come to Kashmir to enjoy the snowfall. The tourism industry in Gulmarg, Pulwama, and other hilly areas reaches its peak at this time. Tourists enjoy skiing, snowmobile riding, and other snow sports in the snow-covered valleys. This also strengthens the local economy as employment opportunities increase in the tourism industry.
During snowfall, people’s relationships become stronger. People spend more time with each other and children are also busy playing in the snow. People clean the snow together, sing songs, and tell stories. It is as if this is a time for families to increase closeness and love.
In mountainous areas, it is important to take safety measures to improve people’s lives during snowfall. During snowfall in winter, trees break, strong waves of snow and slippery roads create potential hazards. Therefore, it is important for both local authorities and residents to follow precautionary measures during snowfall. For their own safety, they go out only after clearing the snow and are ready to walk in the snow wearing warm clothes.
Snowfall does not only affect daily life and tourism, but it also affects other industries. Agriculture, construction, and other business activities are affected by snowfall. Agricultural crops can be affected by the cold during snowfall and farmers have to work extra hard to protect these crops. Many times, snowfall makes it difficult to reach the fields, which reduces agricultural production. Construction work also stops in mountainous areas because snow and landslides make it difficult to work. Holidays are also declared in educational institutions during snowfall.
Snowfall during winter also affects the education of students as the normal routine of schools and colleges is affected. Children spend time at home with their parents and educational institutions waste time clearing snow or opening roads. However, educational institutions continue the educational process through online classes or other alternative means during this time so that the education of children is not disrupted.
The snowy season is not limited to physical exertion alone but also has an impact on people’s mental attitude. The intensity of the cold and snowfall sometimes makes people feel lonely and they may become internally depressed. However, people come together to help each other, and this spirit of mutual cooperation helps to cope with the hardships of winter. Social ties are strengthened and people become each other’s support.
Weather changes are also important during the snowfall season in mountainous areas. The weather changes after snowfall, and its effects last for several weeks. Sometimes the temperature drops significantly during snowfall, which increases the demand for energy sources. The consumption of gas, electricity, or wood increases to keep people warm. This season also creates health problems for people because diseases are more prevalent in winter, especially respiratory diseases.
The government is taking various measures to deal with the snowfall season. Machines are being used to clear the roads of snow and arrangements are being made to deliver relief supplies. Villagers are being made aware of various precautionary measures so that they can stay safe during snowfall. In addition, additional arrangements are being made in health centers and hospitals to treat more patients during snowfall.
The snowfall season in the mountainous regions has a double impact on the local economy. While the tourism industry booms, the agriculture and construction sectors face difficulties. Farmers have to work extra hard to protect their crops during the winter, and businesses often close or slow down during snowfall. However, some industries, such as tourism, thrive during the snowfall season as tourists come to enjoy snow sports and beautiful scenery. Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and other popular destinations are flooded with tourists during snowfall.
Snow sports such as skiing, snowmobile riding, and snow trekking are popular during this time. These activities not only boost tourism but also benefit local entrepreneurs as tourists buy warm clothes from local craftsmen and avail the services of hotels, restaurants, and guides. The snowfall season also has a major impact on cultural life in the mountainous regions.
Many traditions and rituals associated with the severity of snowfall are still alive in these areas. Winter nights are especially a time for families to come together, where people sit together and drink tea or hot soup while preparing special winter dishes. Special dishes like ‘Kashmiri Gulab Jamun’, ‘Soji Ki Kheer’, and ‘Donga’ are prepared during this season, which is not only a means of protection from the severity of the weather but also reflects the culture. Many similar social activities are carried out to help each other and strengthen ties during this time.
The role of educational institutions is also important during snowfall in mountainous areas. School holidays are often extended, but despite this, local educational institutions continue educational activities for children. Special classes and sports activities are organized for children in many schools so that they can maintain a balance between their studies and physical activities. Moreover, during the snowfall season, children living in remote areas turn to schools even in difficult conditions to pursue education. The hard work and determination of these children are proof that the lamp of knowledge can be kept burning despite snowfall.
Snowfall in mountainous areas also affects the environment. Although snowfall is a natural process, its intensity and duration are increasing due to environmental changes. The impact of global climate change is felt more in mountainous areas, resulting in increased snowfall intensity and accelerated snowmelt.
This is affecting not only the local environment but also the tourism industry, agriculture, and life in residential areas. Local government and environmental experts emphasize that environmental protection is needed to deal with the effects of snowfall so that future generations have the opportunity to see this natural beauty and at the same time improve their living conditions.
Traveling in mountainous areas becomes particularly difficult during snowfall. Snowfall affects the flow of traffic and makes it impossible to reach many places. The risks of vehicles skidding and accidents also increase during snowfall. The government and local administration use machines to remove snow and clear the roads during this time so that people do not have difficulty traveling for basic needs. It is also difficult to reach emergency services such as ambulances or fire services during snowfall in mountainous areas.
Locals avoid going out during snowfall to protect their lives and those who have to go out travel with precautionary measures. The snowy season in mountainous areas is not only an example of natural beauty, but it also has a profound impact on various aspects of life. Be it tourism, agriculture, or the routine of daily life, people face many difficulties during the snowfall season. However, this season brings humans closer to each other and creates a spirit of mutual cooperation and determination. Considering climate change and its impacts, we need to protect our environment so that future generations can also explore these beautiful mountain regions.
(The author is a teacher and belongs to Bunyar Baramulla)
Contact: 8082403001
[email protected] >
📢 Join our WhatsApp Channel for the latest news and updates: Click Here
pqovkn