Srinagar, Kashmir’s iconic winter landscape is missing a key element this year – snow. This unusual weather pattern poses a severe threat to the region’s lucrative fruit industry, valued at ?10,000 crore.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the lack of snowfall, combined with erratic weather, is causing widespread concern among farmers and industry experts in the Valley. The fruit industry, already impacted by climate change in 2023, faces further challenges this winter. Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Association, highlighted the critical importance of winter snow for crop health, noting its role in providing a chilling period for crops and maintaining soil moisture.

The absence of snow leads to altered weather patterns, potentially causing crop destruction and significant losses. Basheer recalled the 40% loss faced in 2023 due to weather-induced crop damage. Muhammad Ashraf Wani, a fruit grower and former president of Fruit Mandi Shopian, expressed his concerns about the ongoing dry spell during Chillai Kalan, the coldest part of winter, fearing its impact on yield and quality, and the possibility of early flowering in stone fruits.