People of Kashmir in particular and Jammu & Kashmir in general have breathed a sigh of relief as it snowed moderately in the upper reaches of both Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir plains experienced drizzles and light snowfall including Shari Khaas-Srinagar turning one side of the city white for a while. It rained heavily over Jammu and Kashmir valley; it was like a welcome drizzle after the long dry spell and one of the relieving cows of the people of Kashmir as the chilly winter paved the way for rains-the delight of people across two divisions of Jammu and Kashmir. It appears that the weather God and nature is pleased now bringing snow and rains, having therefore recently bade goodbye to the dry winter season in Kashmir. It is worth saying that there was worry, gloom upon the Kashmiris for the fear that rivers, streams and springs had dried and dying out at more than a few places in the Kashmir valley, giving rise to worries in the minds of the people regarding the future scarcity of water. There was despair around-the farmers, agriculturalists and orchardists were feeling the pinch as they had premonitions that there would be a dry spell, a deficit rainfall and scarcity of irrigation and drinking water.
Farmers from Kashmir are expecting deficit snowfall and rainfall could mean fewer farm outputs for paddy, plus, and vegetables. But this has all changed since the past two, three days, Kashmir, and Jammu have been drenched with heavy rains and even snow, which naturally puts an end to dry weather, meaning some good days for Jammu and Kashmir. Heavy rain in Jammu and Kashmir heralds good news that there would this year too be a bumper harvest of staple crops like rice, wheat, legumes, and vegetables. Also, these showers will bid adieu to ailments like common cold, respiratory problems, and viral fever which the people of the Jammu and Kashmir division were facing due the dry winter. The snow and the rains have further led to the alleviation of cough, bad colds, and other respiratory problems which had aggravated during the dry spell of winter and consequently led to an upsurge of dust. However, people have got a great relief from these ailments. Jammu and Kashmir have been experiencing snow and rains for three consecutive days on Thursday that witnessed 3 to 4 feet of snow depth at multiple locations during this period. In fact, snow is plummeting Kashmir in white, and the MeT predicts a few more days of continued rain and snow. Both Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed a drop in temperatures after the warm and dry winter. In both Jammu and Kashmir people kept their warm clothes in the cupboards and now the rains and snow have forced them to open up those trunks and cupboards at the time of the fag end of winter to take out warmers. And they are now wearing them again along with woolen clothes, jackets, and caps.
But the farmers in particular, and then the people as a whole, have continued to express their appreciation to God for the rains and occasional snowfall, which they hope will bode well for their crops and their cattle. There seems to be some respite to the fact that rainfall and snow continue in different parts of the Kashmir valley and in high reaches of the Jammu Division, and that's good news for the farmers in particular and the other people in general. Both believe the rain and snow assure sufficient water for irrigation and drinking. The warm presents of rain and snow are given to people with warmth and goods gestures of thankfulness to the Almighty for the showers of blessings in the form of raining, which are held to be an assurance of a good crop in the future. Indra Devta - the god of rain is pleased, and therefore good rains are still continuing at several places throughout Jammu and Kashmir. The wet spell has cut the rain deficit of Jammu and Kashmir by 20%. This ongoing wet spell has brought the rain deficit down from80% to 65%. The rains and snow have come as a great boon and relief for the horticulturists, transporters, hoteliers, travel agents, and travel guides. And, of course, the farmers who still have to wait for their paddy sapling planting and harvesting will definitely benefit the farmers, who are the backbone of Kashmir's rural economy. There is joy and jubilation among tourists about the snowing on many winter tourist operations: Gulmarg Sonamarg, Yousmarg, Pahalgam, Sinthantop, Bandipora, Guraz were another hot context packed with tourists given the snowfall.
Different states are sending winter tourists into Kashmir destinations. This winter tourist footfall is a means of livelihood to the local people associated with tourism and winter sports. In fact rain and snow being signs of harsh winter in Kashmir are also the blessing for the people connected with winter tourism and to the farmers, orchardists and agriculturists and all of them welcome rains and snow and the receding of the dry winter spell which is not in the interest of the populace of Jammu and Kashmir. Pir Panjal range of Jammu division also witnessed heavy snowfall which is taken as the harbinger of fortune in Jammu as well as Kashmir valley. Before the current rainfall and snow scattered a various places of Kashmir, the water level of river Jhelum and other rivers has receded and there are reports that at number of places in Kashmir, springs and streams have dried and it is a shock warning to the people of Kashmir. Now with the incessant rain fall and snow for the last three days, there is hope among the people of Kashmir who say that rains and snow is the lifeline of the agricultural and rural economy and thank God for the benevolence of showering rains and snow which will ensure good crop in the new year. Snow is not confined to Kashmir valley alone, but it is heavily snowing in Baderwah, Kishtwar, Doda etc and thus coldness is intense and March resembles December. MeT has predicted rains and snow for three days including 3rd March. It so good that water reservoirs recharged again especially in Kashmir.
Wet spell finished in both the divisions of Jammu and Kashmir.The fresh wet spell compensated rainfall deficit by at least 50%.It had increased the water level in River Jhelum and other water bodies by 3-4 ft. Rains and snow are not a bane but blessing for Kashmiris. They always pray to God for rain and snow. Better late than never, and this phrase fits perfectly with the current rainy spell and snow at the end of winter. Surprising was the turn of weather with Kashmir and some districts of Jammu division getting lashed with rain and snow, bringing mercury down.
(Vivek Koul and Bairaj Chawalgami)
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