Kashmir has always been defined by its winters. Snowfall was not merely a seasonal phenomenon but it was the ecological heartbeat of the Valley. From recharging aquifers to sustaining rivers, glaciers, wetlands, and agriculture, winter snow formed the foundation of Kashmir’s hydrological security. However, the winter of 2024–25 has once again sounded alarm bells. The visible and measurable deficit in snowfall and winter rainfall is not an isolated aberration but it is part of a deeply worrying climatic trend.

The Disappearing Winter

Traditionally, Kashmir received substantial snowfall between December and February, especially in upper reaches such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and the Pir Panjal ranges. This snowpack acted as a natural water reservoir, releasing melt water gradually during spring and summer. This year, however, winter precipitation has been sporadic, erratic, and largely rainfall-dominated rather than snow-driven.

Rainfall replacing snowfall during winter months is a dangerous climatic substitution. Rain runs off quickly, causing soil erosion and flash floods, while snow stays, stores, and sustains. The absence of snow cover has exposed fragile mountain soils, reduced moisture retention, and........

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