Jammu & Kashmir
Winter Games in Gulmarg Postponed
- 18 Feb 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
Authorities have postponed the 5th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, originally set for 22-25th February in Gulmarg, due to inadequate snowfall caused by the prolonged dry spell.
Key Points
- Severe Precipitation Deficit in Kashmir:
- According to the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, precipitation has been “negligible” over the past few months.
- The cause of the deficit is the dry spell in the absence of western disturbances, which usually bring rain and snow to the region.
- Water Shortage:
- Several water bodies have witnessed significant depletion, highlighting the impact of the dry weather.
- The natural spring at Achabal Mughal Garden in South Kashmir, built by Mughal Empress Noor Jahan, has nearly dried up.
- The Irrigation and Flood Control Department warned that continued dry conditions could severely impact both drinking water supply and irrigation in the coming months.
- Impact:
- Authorities have deferred the national winter games in Gulmarg, with the J&K Sports Council stating that a reassessment will take place once snow conditions improve.
- Multiple forest fires have been reported, including in Tral, Pulwama district.
- Environmental Concerns and Future Risks:
- Environmentalists fear long-term consequences due to the lack of winter precipitation.
- Experts urge authorities to implement mitigation strategies to address the worsening crisis.
Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG)
- The KIWG is a multidisciplinary, national-level winter sports competition that promotes winter sports and encourages more athletes to take up skiing and skating.
- It includes events such as skiing, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, snow rugby, ice stock sport, snow baseball, mountaineering, snowshoe running, ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating.
- It is organized by the Sports Authority of India and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- The 2025 KIWG will be held in the Union Territory of Ladakh from 23 to 27 January for ice events, and in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir from 22 to 25 February for snow events.
India Meteorological Department
- IMD was established in 1875. It is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects.
- It works as an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.
- It is headquartered in New Delhi.
- IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organization.
