BY Beigh Irshad.Srinager, Dec 22: With Assembly elections over in J&K now is the turn of harsh winter as people who were busy with elections in Jammu And Kashmir state have now to face a very harsh winter.
As chilaikalan (40 days long harsh winter) has already throng kashmir valley and forced people to use traditional Kangri (a fire pot used to warm) and Fehran (a traditional cloth).
Today several areas of kashmir valley also known as Swizerland of India received a fresh bout of snowfall. Light snowfall was recorded at many places of Kashmir including Gurez, Drass, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and some other high altitudes.
The famous ski-resort of Sonamarg received around 2 inch of snowfall, the heavy snowfall was reported from Sonamarg, Gurez, Gulmarg when last reports were coming.
Zojilla on Srinagar-Leh national highway, which has also been closed for six winter months, received about 5, 6 inches of snowfall.
Razdhan pass the only entrance to an old silk route Gurez has also recived sonwfall.
The valley is currently going through ‘Chillai-Kalan’, considered as the harshest 40-day winter period, which began on December 21.
During this period, the Valley and Ladakh region experience intense cold conditions and possibility of snowfall is also maximum and most frequent.
As Darbar Move has elready (Sectraite to Jammu winter capital of J&K) most of the offices and officers have travelled to Jammu.
Kashmir schools were already closed for winter vacations and Jammu divsion has also closed schools in view of harsh cold in state.
People from different walks use Bukharies, fire pots and room heaters etc to warm themselves.
Meanwhile the snow is considered a blessings by the tour and travelers as it is boost towards tourism sector, which is the backbone of State Jammu And Kashmir.
Dozens of Tourist attractions are in J&K which are still undeveloped and untouched, foraway from the reach of other’s. As kashmir has a great potential in the Tourism Sector but the need is state governments wakeup and develop it like other states and tourist destinations. Thousands of national and internations tourists visit valley every year and enjoy the beauty of Nature.
Bollywood and other super stars also don’t miss the appartunity.