Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Feb 18: The border areas of north Kashmir, which are typically cut off for months due to heavy snowfall for months, have remained accessible by road this winter due to an unprecedented dry spell.
While this has eased connectivity for residents, it has also raised concerns about water shortages and long-term environmental impacts.
Residents living along the Line of Control (LoC) in districts like Kupwara and Bandipora, including remote areas such as Gurez, Tulail and Machil, have rarely witnessed such a prolonged period without snowfall.
Traditionally, these regions receive heavy snow by January and February, making roads impassable for weeks or even months. However, this year, snowfall has been minimal, and roads that usually remain blocked for extended periods have only faced brief disruptions lasting a few days.
“This is the first time in decades that we have stayed connected with the rest of the valley throughout winter. Usually, by this time, our roads are buried under feet of snow,” said Ahmadullah Khan, a resident of Gurez said.
“While it has made travel easier and allowed us to continue agricultural activities, it also feels unnatural. We are worried about water shortages in the coming months,” he added.
According to locals, the lack of snowfall has impacted traditional winter activities, particularly the famous snow cricket tournaments in Gurez Valley, which have been cancelled due to the absence of snow in many areas.
“I have never seen Gurez like this in my lifetime,” said Muzaffar Ahmad, another resident. “For the first time, we are witnessing a less snowfall trend,” he added.
The unusual weather pattern has raised concerns about water scarcity, as these areas rely on snow-fed springs and streams. Khan said that many regions have started experiencing reduced water availability.
“If we don’t get sufficient snowfall, our water sources will dry up in the coming months,” he said.
In the border areas of Kupwara, residents say the dry spell has kept them connected to the rest of the world like never before. In past winters, roads would be blocked for months due to heavy snow accumulation, but this year, the roads have remained open despite the season.
“During emergencies, we used to plead for jet services, but this year, there was no need for that,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a local. “There’s some snowfall, but not the amount we used to witness in previous years,” he added.
