Winter games in Gulmarg postponed due to insufficient snow

With Kashmir experiencing an 80 per cent precipitation deficit this winter, concerns are mounting as water bodies dry up and forest fires erupt at several places in the valley. The prolonged dry spell has now forced authorities to postpone the 5th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, originally scheduled for February 22-25 in Gulmarg, due to insufficient snowfall.

Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, told The Tribune that precipitation has been “negligible” over the past few months. “Barring some snowfall in December, this winter has seen prolonged dry spells,” he said, attributing the deficit to a lack of western disturbances, which typically bring rain and snow to the region.

The impact of the dry weather is now evident, with several water bodies witnessing alarming depletion. In a rare occurrence, the historic natural spring at Achabal Mughal Garden in South Kashmir — built by Noor Jahan, wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir — has nearly dried up. “We have never seen this before. We are just praying for rain,” said a local resident.

A senior official from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department confirmed that water levels in rivers and lakes are “far from normal.” “If this situation continues, the coming months will be extremely difficult, affecting both drinking water supply and irrigation,” the official warned.

The dry conditions have also taken a toll on sports and tourism, forcing the authorities to defer the national winter games in Gulmarg. “A new assessment will be conducted once snow conditions improve,” the J&K Sports Council said in a statement.

Forest fires have been reported from multiple locations, including Tral in Pulwama district, where locals joined efforts to douse the flames. Pulwama Deputy Commissioner Basharat Qayoom confirmed that fires broke out at four locations in the past two days but have now been brought under control. Officials suspect that the ongoing dry spell has exacerbated fire risks, though the exact causes are still being investigated.

Environmentalists warn that the lack of winter precipitation could have long-term consequences. Dr Arshid Jehangir, faculty member at Kashmir University’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, called the situation “deeply concerning.”

“We have seen almost no winter precipitation, even in higher reaches. If this trend continues, we will face serious water scarcity and ecological challenges,” he said, urging authorities to focus on mitigation strategies to address the crisis.

As Kashmir grapples with an unusually dry winter, experts and residents alike fear worsening conditions in the months ahead unless significant rainfall or snowfall occurs soon.