News Desk
Srinagar, Jan 13:Tourists exploring the picturesque landscapes of Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam in Kashmir are surprised and disappointed by the prolonged absence of snowfall in these well-known destinations.
Despite their natural allure, the prolonged dry spell is prompting many visitors to reschedule their plans.
The iconic winter landscapes of tourist hotspots like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg, typically blanketed in pristine white, are currently devoid of their usual snowy charm.
Local businesses, heavily reliant on winter tourism, are grappling with the repercussions as travelers search for alternative locations.
As Sonamarg contends with the dry spell, local authorities are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a weather shift to salvage the winter tourism season.
It is noteworthy that on Friday, amidst concerns over the prolonged dry conditions in the Kashmir Valley, residents gathered at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar to perform a special prayer known as Namaz-e-Istiqsa.
This prayer seeks divine intervention to alleviate the scarcity of rainfall, particularly concerning for the agricultural sector and the overall environmental balance in the region.
The collective prayer at Jamia Masjid mirrors the shared worry and hope of local residents grappling with the prolonged arid conditions.
This special prayer underscores the community’s reliance on faith and tradition during challenging times, as they unite in their plea for rain to replenish water sources, nurture the land, and mitigate the impact of the extended dry period on livelihoods.
As the echoes of Namaz-e-Istiqsa resonate through the historic mosque, it symbolizes a collective appeal for nature’s mercy to bring an end to the prolonged drought affecting the Kashmir Valley.(KNS)