| Fresh snowfall, rainfall bring smiles | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 20: The long-awaited snowfall in the higher reaches and rainfall in the plains of Jammu and Kashmir brought much-needed relief to residents, particularly farmers, who were grappling with a prolonged dry spell. The fresh spell of precipitation, which began on Thursday, has raised hopes of alleviating the significant rainfall deficit that has persisted since the beginning of the year.
Popular tourist destinations and higher-altitude areas received fresh snowfall, while the plains witnessed intermittent rainfall, improving water levels in the region’s reservoirs and replenishing groundwater sources.
Experts believe this spell could mitigate the adverse effects of a nearly dry winter, which had raised concerns over potential water shortages and agricultural distress.
According to the Meteorological Department, Jammu and Kashmir recorded an 83 percent rainfall deficit in the first 50 days of 2025. From January 1 to February 19, 2025, the region received just 29.8 mm of precipitation against the normal 175.8 mm, marking only 17 percent of the expected rainfall. The deficit had sparked fears of water scarcity in the coming months, particularly affecting drinking water supply, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.
The latest spell of precipitation, however, has revived hopes of a turnaround. While Thursday brought light snowfall to the upper reaches, intermittent rain was recorded in several parts of the plains. Farmers, who depend heavily on winter precipitation for the upcoming cropping season, welcomed the rain and snow as a much-needed respite from the dry conditions.
The Meteorological Department has forecast more precipitation in the coming days. On Friday, light to moderate rain and snow are expected in multiple locations across Jammu and Kashmir. Between February 21 and 23, the weather is likely to remain cloudy, with light rain or snowfall possible on February 24 and 25. A more widespread spell of light to moderate precipitation is forecast between February 26 and 28, which could further reduce the deficit.
The recent rain and snowfall have also boosted the morale of the tourism industry, as destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg received fresh snowfall, attracting tourists eager to witness the winter wonderland.
While this wet spell offers temporary relief, experts emphasize the need for long-term measures to address changing weather patterns and potential climate challenges in the region. |
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