Srinagar, Feb. 18 -- For now, this has affected the Valley's hydropower generation the most.It has plummeted by a whopping 84 percent, forcing the administration to rely on external sources to meet the shortfall. Power plants generated only 250 MW in January, a fraction of the 1200 MW capacity, with February seeing a further 5% decline. Unless water levels improve, the situation is expected to deteriorate.

The snowfall, however, is important not merely for tourism but as a lifeline for the glaciers which keep our rivers and streams flowing and agriculture fields irrigated. High-altitude areas retain their sub-zero temperatures, enabling the snow to endure throughout the year. Kashmir witnesses its heaviest snow during chilai kalan and th...