Thaindian News

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Jan.18 (ANI): Srinagar shivered on Sunday as temperatures dipped in the wake of the region receiving a fresh spell of snowfall, much to the delight of locals and tourists.
The upper reaches of the valley experienced heavy snowfall pushing the temperature down.
With Srinagar city witnessing a freezing temperature, the strategic 300 kilometer long Srinagar- Jammu national highway was blocked, temporarily leading to disruption of traffic.
Visibly happy, the locals said that heavy snowfall during winters was very essential for uninterrupted hydro-electric power supply and drinking water during the summer season.
“We are experiencing heavy snowfall and this augurs well for Kashmir. The problem here is that if there is snow, the water bodies will receive water also and that will solve our electricity problem also. Another issue that we have is unemployment and with this heavy snowfall, we will have more tourists thronging the region. With tourist arrivals, all of us would have work, the auto drivers and the taxi drivers,” said Tariq Ahmed, a local.
Trees, buildings, roads, are all covered in white with snow flakes occasionally falling adding to the joyous atmosphere around.
Others like Ghulam Muhammad said that the 4-inch deep snowfall in valley has brought back cheer to the tourism industry as well.
“Kashmir is symbolic with snowfall because tourists come to visit Gulmarg and Pehelgam. Tourists come to enjoy snowfall, they come here for skiing and the economy is because of snowfall,” said Muhammad.
Hordes of tourists throng the Himalayan region for revelry on its world famous snow clad picturesque slopes.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is a well known tourist destination for winter activities such as snow boarding, sledge rides, gondola (cable car) and snow skiing. Tourism is one of the mainstays of the state’’s economy. (ANI)