Srinagar, Dec. 25 -- As winter tightens its grip across Jammu and Kashmir, the Valley is once again undergoing its familiar seasonal transformation. Mornings now break through dense layers of fog, evenings descend sooner than expected, and the air carries a biting chill that signals the onset of harsher cold. Fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Gurez has turned the landscape white, while frost settling on rooftops and orchards has become part of everyday life. This seasonal shift is not merely atmospheric; it marks the return of a crucial phase that has long shaped Kashmir's economy, culture, and collective rhythm.

Winter has traditionally been a season of anticipation for the region. While the cold complicates ...