Tourism which is the mainstay for the people of the region was hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic but with restrictions easing and popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Sonmarg witnessing snowfall the tourist inflow has increased.
Fresh spell of snowfall was observed in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, forcing the Srinagar-Leh road to shut for traffic.
Snowfall was reported from the ski-resort of Gulmarg, Baramulla, popular tourist resort Sonamarg and Ganderbal district. Snowfall was also witnessed in Gurez in north Kashmir's Bandipora district.
The minimum temperature in the valley has plummeted 4 degrees below normal due to snowfall in the region.
Snowfall has brought the entire Kashmir valley to life. Tourism which is the mainstay for the people of the region was hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic but with restrictions easing and popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Sonmarg witnessing snowfall the tourist inflow has increased.
A tourist from Dehli Ranudeep said "I feel like in paradise it's like a snow blanket. I got tested for covid at the airport and I am not scared now. We have to look forward. The covid has already hit the industry hard and it's now time to fight. People should come out and start visiting this place."
Another tourist from Mumbai said, "It's a different Diwali for us. We have come here with family and it is definitely going to be a memorable Diwali for us in Kashmir”
The locals were also ecstatic over the changing weather and tourism picking up pace. Zahoor Ahmad a tourist guide in Gulmarg said, "It's a moment of joy for us. Business was hit hard due to the lockdown since March but tourism is slowly picking pace and this snowfall is a Diwali gift to us. We want more and more tourists to come here and therefore we are taking all necessary COVID-19 precautions."
Meanwhile, the meteorological department has forecast more rain and snow in the valley till Sunday. A good amount of rain is also expected in the plains. The weather will ease out Monday onwards but drop in temperature will increase the chill factor in the region.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Gulmarg Snowfall")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}