Why Is It Snowing Less in Srinagar? |
By Haris Mashooq Zia
Major parts of Kashmir were recently covered in thick blankets of snow. In the countryside, snow sculpture contests drew crowds, reviving traditional snow fights and winter adventure. Tourists chased postcard-perfect photographs as they moved through frozen villages. Rivers slowed as heavy sheets of ice formed across their surface.
Srinagar, in contrast, remained almost dry.
City streets stayed bare, and rooftops were clear. Social media filled up with jokes and memes, poking fun at a city famous for its winters suddenly missing its snow.
The contrast was striking, pushing one question to the fore: why is Srinagar missing the snow that surrounds it?
The answer lies in a mix of local factors that have gradually changed the city’s winter climate and culture.
Rapid urbanization has transformed the cityscape, replacing trees, wetlands, and open spaces with concrete buildings and asphalt roads.........