Sajid Raina
Baramulla, Jan 16:The snowless winter in Kashmir has kept the residents of border areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir connected by road with the rest of the valley, a situation uncommon during heavy snowfall with residents say that aside from the absence of snow cricket, the dry weather has enabled them to carry out their agricultural activities.
The locals noted a significant dry spell in the remote areas of Kashmir, especially along the LoC. "In the past, while the plains of the Kashmir Valley experienced dryness, the border areas consistently received a substantial amount of snow. "However, this marks the first time that, like the plains, the border areas are also witnessing the same dry conditions," they said.
Speaking to the news agency-Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the locals said that the prolonged dry weather conditions have, for the first time in decades, kept the border areas connected by road to the rest of the valley.
"This unusual situation has allowed residents to carry out agricultural activities for the past month, which would typically be hindered by heavy snowfall," they said.
Ahmadullah Khan, a local resident, said that despite the dry weather keeping the border areas connected with the rest of the world, there is a sense of missing the harsh winter that these areas are known for.
He expressed concerns about water shortages in various LOC areas, including PTL, Kilshay, Budaaab, Zidgay, and Kashpath areas of Gurez.
Khan said that these areas usually receive spring-based water supply, but the persistent dry conditions have led to some degree of water scarcity in these areas.
Muzaffar Ahmad, another local resident, expressed the absence of the famous snow cricket in Gurez Valley this year due to the lack of snowfall, noting that it's the first time in his life to witness the region, which is usually covered in snow, being snowless.
Residents from the border town Kupwara states similar sentiments, acknowledging that the dry weather has kept them connected with the rest of the Kashmir valley, but they miss the harsh winter for which the border areas were known.
"In remote areas of Kashmir, especially along the LoC, a noticeable dryness prevails. While plains in Kashmir experienced dryness in the past, the border areas consistently received substantial snowfall. This year marks a departure from the norm, with both plains and border areas witnessing the same dry conditions, raising concerns among residents," they said.
Some residents voiced concerns about the potential problems arising during April and May, crucial months for agricultural activities.
Zaheer Ahmad said that the initiation of bud swelling in several plants is being observed due to the high daytime temperatures in these areas.(KNO).
