The past few days have transformed parts of Srinagar’s Boulevard into a scene that looks deceptively like snowfall in the middle of spring. Thick clouds of white, cotton-like material drifting through the air have gone viral on social media, drawing curiosity as well as concern. This striking phenomenon is caused by the seasonal dispersal of seed hair from Populus deltoides, commonly known as Russian poplar—now at its peak across the Kashmir Valley. While visually dramatic, this annual event has once again reignited the long-standing debate: is this “spring snow” truly responsible for the surge in allergies, or is the reality more complex than it appears?

Not surprisingly, this visible surge coincides with an increase in complaints of sneezing, nasal congestion, eye irritation, and breathing discomfort. The immediate and popular assumption is that the “white fluff” itself is responsible for triggering allergies. However,........

© Greater Kashmir