Higher slopes, early starts: Khelo India games adjust to warm weather in Gulmarg

Amid unusually warm weather in the Valley’s premier ski resort of Gulmarg, organisers of the Khelo India Winter Games have made key adjustments to ensure the smooth conduct of competitions, including shifting events to higher altitudes and starting them earlier in the day.The four-day national event was inaugurated on Monday at Gulmarg. Around 800 participants, including more than 340 athletes, are competing in various disciplines.Gulmarg has been witnessing heatwave-like conditions this February, leading to accelerated snowmelt, particularly in the main bowl area. The Meteorological Department last week recorded Gulmarg’s highest-ever February maximum temperature at 11.5 degrees Celsius, raising concerns about snow availability and sustainability.Rauf Tramboo, president of the Winter Games Association of J&K and competition manager for alpine skiing at the event, said it was the first time he had witnessed such warm conditions in Gulmarg during the winter games. “Because of the weather conditions, we had to change our strategy. The skiing area was shifted to higher reaches. The usual route where competitions were conducted earlier had to be changed this time due to less snow,” he said.Tramboo added that unlike previous February editions, events this year had to begin much earlier in the day. “We were forced to assemble by 7.30 am and start competitions around 9 am so they could conclude before the afternoon, when temperatures rise significantly,” he said.Despite the challenges, he said all events have been conducted successfully without inconvenience to athletes.Another official said safety remained the top priority. “The field of play was carefully redesigned, keeping athlete safety in mind. Snowmelt has occurred at a much faster rate,” he said.Nuzhat Gul, Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, said the fluctuating temperatures were unprecedented. “I have never seen such weather here during winter. Thankfully, our game-specific volunteers are highly professional and ensured that everything went smoothly,” she said, adding that the field of play had to be shifted to higher elevations this year.Athletes, however, acknowledged that skiing becomes more challenging in warmer temperatures due to softer and unstable snow conditions.The games will conclude on Thursday, with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya expected to attend the closing ceremony.At the inauguration on Monday, held under bright sunny skies, the Chief Minister remarked that the time had come to consider artificial snow generation. “The truth is we cannot rely solely on nature,” he said.

Higher slopes, early starts: Khelo India games adjust to warm weather in Gulmarg

Gulmarg has been witnessing heatwave-like conditions this February, leading to accelerated snowmelt

Adil Akhzer

Our Correspondent

Higher slopes, early starts: Khelo India games adjust to warm weather in Gulmarg

Gulmarg has been witnessing heatwave-like conditions this February, leading to accelerated snowmelt

Adil Akhzer

Our Correspondent

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