Snowfall in Kashmir raises hopes for winter tourism revival; Omar Abdullah says administration is prepared

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the Union territory is fully prepared to deal with heavy snowfall, while expressing optimism that the expected precipitation will not only improve air quality but also give a much-needed push to winter tourism.

Abdullah chaired a high-level review meeting to assess winter preparedness across the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley, as the meteorological department forecast moderate to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches on Sunday.

“I took a review of both divisions, especially areas where it is expected to snow — all districts in the Valley and the higher reaches of Jammu. The administration has finalised all preparations, but, whether that would suffice, will only be known after tomorrow when it starts to snow,” the chief minister told reporters after the meeting.

Also read | Rail bridges on Jammu-Pathankot track undergo extensive inspections by top officials

Despite the challenges that heavy snowfall may bring, Abdullah said the region has been eagerly awaiting it after an unusually long dry spell.

“Even if we face some hardships due to the snow, I do not think anyone should complain because we have been eagerly awaiting snowfall. It will clear the air, mitigate pollution, and kick off the winter tourism season,” he said.

Alhumdullilah,

this prolonged dry spell in J&K, that has persisted since early last month, looks like it will finally end this weekend. https://t.co/7tzQzTnYFj

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 18, 2025

In a post on social media platform X, Abdullah said he had conducted a comprehensive review of winter readiness, including the condition of roads, power and water supply, healthcare facilities and the availability of essential commodities across both divisions.

He directed all departments to ensure round-the-clock snow clearance on priority routes, uninterrupted power and water supply, fully operational control rooms and swift emergency responses to minimise inconvenience to residents and visitors during the winter months.

Also read | Battlefield tourism: Sikkim govt opens strategic Cho La, Dok La at India-China border

Officials said Kashmir is bracing for a spell of wet weather, including moderate to heavy snowfall in the higher reaches, as the region approaches the onset of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ — the harshest 40-day winter period that begins on December 21 and lasts until January 31.

The meteorological department has forecast wet conditions on December 20 and 21, coinciding with the start of Chillai-Kalan. While higher altitudes are expected to receive significant snowfall, light to moderate precipitation is likely in the plains. Snowfall tends to be most frequent during this period, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures across the Valley.

So far, Kashmir has not experienced any major wet spell this winter. The prolonged dry conditions have contributed to an increase in seasonal ailments such as coughs and colds, officials said.

Night temperatures showed a slight improvement across the Valley on Saturday. Pulwama recorded the lowest minimum temperature at minus 3.2 degrees Celsius. Srinagar registered a low of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, around two degrees warmer than the previous night.

A dense layer of fog enveloped Srinagar and several other areas, particularly near water bodies, during the morning hours.

In south Kashmir, tourist hub Pahalgam recorded a minimum of minus 1 degree Celsius, while Kokernag and Qazigund registered 0.8 and minus 1 degree Celsius, respectively. Kupwara in north Kashmir settled at minus 0.7 degrees Celsius.

Gulmarg, one of the Valley’s prime winter tourism destinations, recorded a minimum temperature of 2 degrees Celsius, remaining above the freezing point, according to the weather department.