Kashmir Shimmers Under First Snowfall, Cold Wave Looms Over North India
Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination in Kashmir's Ganderbal district, experienced its first snowfall of the season on Monday, transforming the region into a winter wonderland. The fresh snowfall has blanketed roads, rooftops, and forests, much to the delight of tourists and locals alike. Visitors were seen enjoying sleigh rides, building snow sculptures, and capturing the picturesque views of the snow-laden mountains. Many tourists described the experience as "magical" and "dreamlike".
"The snowfall started suddenly last night, and it feels amazing," said Habib Khan, a tourist from Delhi. "The view is breathtaking, and the locals have been very supportive. We are enjoying the first snowfall of the season, and it is truly unforgettable". Another tourist said they had been staying in Srinagar and "It snowed here for the first time last night. It feels really good”. Dr. Shakeel Ahmed from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, said, “This is my second trip… We have come to Sonmarg for the first time, and the people here are very supportive. There is no terror here. Everyone is happy”.
The snowfall has boosted the local tourism industry, with hoteliers and travel operators hopeful for a strong winter season. Gulmarg and Pahalgam are also expected to be prime destinations for snowfall lovers between December and February.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of a cold wave sweeping across North India. Cold wave conditions are expected to prevail in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha from December 9–12; Punjab from December 10–12; Vidarbha and Telangana from December 9–10; and Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, north Rajasthan, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada from December 11–12.
The IMD has also forecast dense fog in isolated pockets of Assam and Manipur from December 9–13 and in East Uttar Pradesh and Odisha on December 9 and 10. A cold wave warning has been issued for many districts in Telangana, with minimum temperatures predicted to dip by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours. Areas such as Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Sangareddy, Medak, and Kamareddy are under an orange alert, which denotes the presence of extreme cold wave conditions, from December 8 to 12.
In Delhi, the minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius. The IMD has forecast a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius for Tuesday, but warned that the mercury is expected to drop further over the next two days, intensifying the chill.
The IMD expects temperatures to decline gradually by around 2 degrees Celsius in the plains of northwest India on December 9 and 10. A weak western disturbance may bring partly cloudy skies to Rajasthan, with a slight rise of 2-3 degrees in minimum temperatures expected.
People are advised to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the cold wave and dense fog. This includes wearing warm clothes, staying indoors as much as possible, and avoiding unnecessary travel.
