Baramulla, Feb 20: Fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday brought much-needed relief and joy to residents after a prolonged dry spell.
While the plains of the district received rainfall throughout the day, areas including Hajibal, Tangmarg, Gulmarg, Uri, Boniyar, and Rafiabad witnessed moderate snowfall, rekindling hopes for a better agricultural season.
“It is a blessing from Allah,” said Faisal Ahmad of Rafiabad. “The much-awaited snow and rain have finally given us hope for better agriculture and apple production.”
In the picturesque Hajibal area, just a few kilometres from Baramulla town, locals expressed their delight over the long-awaited snowfall.
“It has been snowing since morning in our area,” a local said.
Baramulla district experienced unusually low snowfall this winter, causing concern among residents, particularly farmers and orchardists.
The deficit had led to fears about water shortages and the impact on agricultural yields.
The apple-growing community, in particular, was worried about the potential effects on fruit production.
“The fresh snowfall will ensure moisture retention in the soil and protect trees from possible disease-causing germs,” said Sajad Ahmad, an orchardist from Shutloo, Rafiabad.
The prolonged dry spell had also raised alarm for the Jal Shakti Department, as water resources had begun to deplete.
An official of the Jal Shakti Department, while welcoming the precipitation, said that the snowfall and rain could help alleviate a potential water crisis.
“We were facing a drought-like situation, and the fresh snowfall has given us some hope of easing the hardships caused by the rainfall deficit,” the official said.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast cloudy weather from February 21 to 23, with light rain or snow expected at scattered places on February 24 and 25.
A more widespread spell of light to moderate rain and snowfall is anticipated between February 26 and 28.
With Kashmir experiencing a largely dry winter, recording an 80 percent precipitation deficit in January and February, the fresh wet spell has raised hopes of mitigating the impact of the dry conditions.
