SRINAGAR: Night temperature recorded a drop in Jammu and Kashmir with mercury settling below sub-zero level in Gulmarg and Pahalgam  on Saturday.  

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a minimum of 6.5°C against 7.2°C on the previous night and it was above normal by 1.5°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of 5.8°C against 7.0°C on the previous night and it was 2.1°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 1.1°C against 3.7°C on the previous night and it was 1.5°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 5.6°C, same as on the previous night and it was 2.3°C above normal, the official said.

Kupwara town recorded a low of 5.6°C against 6.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.1°C below normal there, the official said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 2.5°C against minus 0.5°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 0.9°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 14.4°C and it was below normal by 1.1°C for the winter capital of J&K.

Banihal recorded a low of 7.6°C, Batote 9.1°C and Bhaderwah 7.0°C, he said.

With regard to the forecast, he said, generally dry weather with brief cloudiness is expected till March 26.

On March 27, he said, partly to generally cloudy weather is expected with light rain/snow at few places.

From March 28-31, he said, partly to generally cloudy weather is expected with possibility of intermittent light rain and snow at many places. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A skier has been killed and three others rescued with one gone missing after an avalanche hit Khilan Marg on Afarwat Peak in famous ski-destination Gulmarg on Thursday afternoon, an official said. 

The official told GNS that an avalanche hit Khilan Marg, trapping inside at least five foreign skiers. “Soon after, a massive rescue operation was launched at the site, which has so far resulted in killing of a skier and rescue of three others," the official said adding “operation is underway to look for at least one skier believed to be trapped under the snow.” 

The identities of the skiers, all believed to be foreigners, are not yet known. 

More details awaited. (GNS)

RJ Abid Khan

Kashmir, a region celebrated for its enchanting winter landscapes, is currently facing an unprecedented challenge – the tangible effects of global warming on its climate. This year, the region has witnessed a disturbing trend of rising temperatures during winter, jeopardizing the traditional spectacle of heavy snowfall. This shift not only threatens the region's critical water resources, historically sustained by winter snow, but also casts a shadow over the vibrant winter tourism industry, with a particular blow to renowned destinations like Gulmarg, famous for its winter games.

Escalating Winter Temperatures

Thallmark of Kashmir's winter has been the serene blanket of snow covering its landscapes. However, this year has brought about a disconcerting change as temperatures continue to rise during the winter months. Such a deviation from the norm poses immediate challenges to the delicate ecological balance of the region.

Snowfall and Water Resources

Winter snowfall has been a lifeline for Kashmir's water resources, serving as a natural reservoir that gradually replenishes rivers and lakes. The scarcity of snowfall this year raises concerns about water availability in the upcoming months, impacting agriculture, local communities, and the delicate ecosystems that depend on this seasonal influx.

Winter Tourism's Precarious Future

Kashmir's winter tourism has been a key economic driver, drawing visitors from around the globe. The allure of pristine, snow-covered landscapes has been a significant factor in this appeal. However, with the diminishing snowfall, iconic destinations like Gulmarg are facing a crisis. The dependability of snow-covered terrains for winter sports and games is eroding, presenting a significant threat to the livelihoods of those dependent on the tourism industry.

Gulmarg: A Struggling Hub for Winter Games

Gulmarg, celebrated for its ski resorts and winter festivities, finds itself at the forefront of the climate change impact. The reduction in snowfall not only compromises the visual splendor of the region but also endangers the viability of winter sports. Local businesses and individuals reliant on winter tourism are grappling with uncertainty and economic challenges.

The current scenario in Kashmir, marked by rising winter temperatures and a decline in snowfall, serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact of global warming. The interconnected issues of compromised water resources and the jeopardy faced by winter tourism, especially in places like Gulmarg, underscore the urgency of addressing climate change. It is imperative that local and global communities come together to adopt sustainable practices and mitigate the adverse effects of global warming, ensuring the preservation of the unique charm that has defined Kashmir's winters for generations.

This piece solely belongs to RJ Abid Khan 

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday said to have rescued 250 tourists in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

250 tourists who went for Gondola ride to Gondola Phase II Affarwat area of Gulmarg and while on their return to Gondola base, the tourists got stuck there due to technical glitches in the cable car operations, a police spokesperson said in a statement issued to GNS.

Acting upon this, police rescue teams of PS Gulmarg led by SHO PS Gulmarg Inspector Irshad Ahmad with the assistance of staff of Gondola Car Corporation swung into action and after strenuous over night efforts, they rescued the stranded tourists and brought them back to Gulmarg base safely, reads the statement.

The tourists expressed their gratitude towards the Police for timely help, reads the statement further. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday rescued a tourist family after they reportedly lost their way in Kongdori area in Gulmarg of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. 

“Baramulla Police today rescued a tourist family comprising of 3 adults & 4 kids of Telangana who arrived in Gulmarg and went for Gondola ride to Kongdori Gulmarg, while on return to Gondola Phase 2nd they lost their way to and got stuck in Kongdori area”, said a police spokesperson in a statement issued to GNS.

“Acting upon this, police rescue teams of PS Gulmarg led by SHO PS Gulmarg Insp Irshad with the assistance of ATVs and Pony Walas were formed who followed around the Kongdori area and finally reached at the location of the tourist family and rescued them from the area and brought them back to Gulmarg safely”, reads the statement.

The tourist family, as per the statement, expressed their gratitude towards Baramulla Police for timely help. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: A tourist from Gujarat died at famous tourist resort Gulmarg in North Kashmir Baramulla district on Wednesday officials said.

They told news agency, Kashmir Scroll that a tourist namely Patel Husmukh (50) from Gujarat fell unconscious at Gulmarg on Wednesday. They was shifted to PHC Gulmarg, where doctors declared him brought dead. Meanwhile further proceedings in this regard have been initiated. (KS)

SRINAGAR: Famous Ski resort of Gulmarg is all set to host the G-20 event in the last week of May, officials said.
International tourist resort Gulmarg of Baramulla in north Kashmir is all set to welcome tourism delegates from the G-20 nations in the last week of this month, an official spokesman said here today.
District Administration Baramulla is finalizing all the related arrangements, and the district is undergoing a major makeover amid a stringent security plan for the high-profile event.
The grand event will likely have a large impact in the history of Baramulla district and there will be no curbs anywhere while schools, colleges and the markets will remain open.
The traffic on all routes will ply normally and to facilitate the foreign delegates, a proper traffic advisory will be issued in advance.
Welcome boards and signages were erected in Gulmarg, beside the road to Gulmarg from Srinagar, the Narbal-Gulmarg stretch, is being given a new look.
To enhance the aesthetic value of the existing structures, footpaths and medians have been developed, traffic roads are being furnished, hoardings are installed and government buildings and commercial building walls are being painted in the district.
Meanwhile, all the developmental and beautification works are being supervised by the District Development Commissioner (DDC) Baramulla, Syed Sehrish Asgar.
She has asserted that the stage is set and all preparations are in the final stage. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: Amid decrease in precipitation and forecast for scattered to fairly widespread light rain and thunderstorm in next 24 hours, the minimum temperature recorded a drop in Jammu and Kashmir below normal on Friday.   

 
A meteorological department official here told GNS that “mainly dry weather to isolated very light rain and thunderstorm” was expected during two subsequent days. 

While there was improvement in rainfall activity, in the last 24 hours till 0830 hours this morning, Srinagar received 0.7mm of rain, Qazigund 14.6mm, Pahalgam 9.0mm, Kokernag 3.2mm, Gulmarg 8.6mm,  Jammu 7.4mm, Banihal 5.0mm, Batote 6.2mm, Bhaderwah 8.4mm, Katra 13.0mm, and Kathua 1.6mm.

Regarding temperature, the MeT official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 6.2°C against 7.9°C on the previous night and it was 2.7°C below normal for the summer capital.

Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 4.4°C against 7.2°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 3.5°C against 2.6°C on the previous night and it was 0.5°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of 3.7°C against 6.2°C on the previous night and it was 3.9°C below normal for the place, the officials said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.0°C against minus 0.6°C on the previous night and it was 4.3°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 4.4°C against 6.7°C on the previous night and it was 3.2°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 15.0°C against 18.5°C on the previous night. It was 6.0°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 5.1°C (below normal by 4.3°C), Batote 6.7°C (below normal by 5.3°C), Katra 13.1°C (5.0°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 6.1°C (2.3°C below normal). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 2.6°C and 2.2°C respectively, the officials added. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Upper reaches including Gulmarg received fresh snowfall while intermittent rains lashed plains, bringing mercury down in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Thursday.  

A meteorological department official here told GNS that in the last 24 hours till 0830 hours this morning, Srinagar received 28.3mm of rain, Qazigund 68.0mm, Pahalgam 43.7mm, Kokernag 36.8mm, Gulmarg 40.4mm (also 1 cm of snow),  Jammu 0.2mm, Banihal 41.1mm, Batote 46.8mm, Bhaderwah 20.0mm, Katra 1.8mm, and Kathua 4.0mm.

The MeT office has forecast “widespread light to moderate rain/thunderstorm/snow (over upper reaches) in Jammu and Kashmir during next 24 hours and “decrease in precipitation” during the subsequent two days.  

Regarding temperature, the MeT official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 7.9°C against 10.3°C on the previous night and it was normal for the summer capital.

Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 7.2°C against 9.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.7°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 2.6°C against 5.4°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of 6.2°C against 8.3°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C below normal for the place, the officials said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 0.6°C against 2.0°C on the previous night and it was 2.9°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 6.7°C against 7.1°C on the previous night and it was 0.1°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 18.5°C against 17.4°C on the previous night. It was 1.4°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 8.5°C (above normal by 0.1°C), Batote 9.1°C (below normal by 2.3°C), Katra 16.2°C (0.9°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 8.9°C (1.7°C above normal). Ladakh’s Leh also received 1 cm of snowfall during the time and recorded a low of minus 1.5°C, he said. Kargil recorded a low of minus 0.4°C, the officials added. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Cable Car Corporation today cautioned Tourists of falling in the trap of Touts.

A statement issued said that "It has come to the notice of the Management of the Cable Car Corporation that some of the tourists fall into the trap of touts and some miscreant elements regarding tickets of Gulmarg Gondola project".

It reads that "All Our esteemed tourists are informed through this press note that the tickets of Gulmarg Gondola Project are available only through online mode on official website www.jammukashmircablecar.com and there is no other means to get the ticket of Gulmarg Gondola Project".

There is a transparent system of online ticketing of Gulmarg Gondola and the question of black-marketing of Gondola tickets does not arise, therefore, our esteemed tourists are advised not to fall prey to the propaganda of touts and do not go for gondola booking by any mode other than online booking through official website www.jammukashmircablecar.com

 The intending tourists/visitors are advised to plan Gondola ride as per availability of tickets on the official website.(GNS)

SRINAGAR: The minimum temperatures recorded an increase on Tuesday with mercury settling below normal in Jammu and Kashmir barring Gulmarg. 

A meteorological department official here told GNS that Srinagar recorded a low of 4.7°C against 3.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C below normal for the summer capital.

Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 3.5°C against 2.1°C on the previous night and it was 1.2°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 0.6°C against minus 1.8°C on the previous night and it was 2.2°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of 4.2°C against 3.1°C on the previous night and it was 0.5°C below normal for the place, the officials said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of 0.5°C against minus 1.9°C on the previous night and it was 1.3°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 3.2°C against 1.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.3°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 14.7°C against 12.5°C on the previous night. It was 1.9°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 5.4°C (below normal by 1.1°C), Batote 7.3°C (below normal by 1.1°C), Katra 13.0°C (0.8°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 4.6°C (0.8°C below normal). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 5.0°C and minus 0.5°C respectively. The weather department has forecast mainly weather in J&K for the next 24 hours. (GNS)

SRINAGAR:  Weatherman on Sunday forecast mainly dry weather over Kashmir division and very light rain and thunders at one or two places over Jammu division in next 24 hours.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that mainly dry weather was expected for subsequent two days and “fairly widespread” rains from March 30-April 1.  

In last 24 hours till 0830 hours today, he said, Srinagar received 4.1mm of rain, Qazigund 6.4mm, Pahalgam 2.1mm, Kupwara 1.8mm, Kokernag 6.3mm, Jammu 12.8mm, Banihal 18.8mm, Batote 13.4mm, Katra 7.8mm, Bhaderwah 21.4mm and Kathua 7.0. Gulmarg received 3.8 cms of fresh snowfall during the time, the official said.

Regarding temperature, the MeT official said, Srinagar recorded a low of 5.7°C against 5.°C on the previous night and it was 0.7°C above normal for the summer capital.

Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 5.0°C against 4.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.3°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 2.0°C against minus 0.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.6°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of 4.1°C against 3.8°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C above normal for the place, the officials said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.4°C against 1.0°C on the previous night and it was 0.2°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 3.8°C against 3.4°C on the previous night and it was 0.6°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 11.9°C against 13.2°C on the previous night. It was 3.6°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 4.5°C (below normal by 0.8°C), Batote 4.1°C (below normal by 4.0°C), Katra 10.1°C (2.4°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 3.6°C (0.3°C below normal). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 2.6°C and 1.5°C respectively. (GNS)