Kashmir winter is tough. We can face it better this way

By: Sheikh Umar Ahmad, Ph.D. ([email protected])

If I were to ask what comes to mind when thinking of winter in Kashmir, most would mention frequent power outages, a sluggish state administration, water shortages, blocked roads, economic downturns, health crises, geographic isolation, and the psychological toll of the season.

Another question worth pondering is how well-prepared Kashmiris and the administration are to tackle these challenges together. Unfortunately, the answer remains discouraging. Only a small part of the population is equipped to manage the hardships of winter, and this preparedness stems more from individual efforts than from government initiatives. For the majority, winter in Kashmir brings significant suffering, with minimal or no governmental support to ease the burden, even partially.

Despite advancements in infrastructure, healthcare, and urban planning over the years, the region’s ability to address the persistent challenges of its harsh winters remains inadequate.

This year, as sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall blanket Kashmir, the familiar struggles have returned. Roads buried under snow have turned the region into a frozen expanse, isolating communities, and tourists alike while worsening the difficulties faced by the local population. While Kashmir’s natural beauty continues to captivate global admiration, its harsh winters reveal significant infrastructural shortcomings.

However, by embracing tested winter strategies from countries like the USA, Canada, and Europe, engaging Non-Resident Kashmiris (NRKs), and empowering local youth, the region can turn its winter adversities into opportunities for innovation, resilience, and community growth.

Below are several actionable measures that can be undertaken collectively to mitigate the hardships faced by the population, even if complete solutions stay constrained by political, economic, and infrastructural limitations.

Empowering youth for long-term solutions

The foundation for a resilient Kashmir lies in empowering its youth. By equipping the next generation of engineers, planners, and emergency responders with global expertise, the region can cultivate homegrown solutions to its winter challenges. With support from the central government, initiatives such as Global Training Programs can be set up to facilitate exchange programs with foreign universities, particularly in the US and Europe, specializing in winter infrastructure and disaster management.

Scholarships for Kashmiri students to study fields like renewable energy, transportation engineering, and emergency response systems abroad, coupled with incentives for returning to apply their knowledge locally, can become a transformative resource in addressing Kashmir’s winter struggles.

Affordable homegrown solutions could include the establishment of Centers of Excellence in Atmosphere and Climatology within Kashmir’s universities and research institutions. Currently, existing setups contribute minimally to addressing local challenges.

By partnering with international experts, premier universities in Kashmir can develop winter resilience research centers focusing on snow management, insulated construction, and cold-climate technology.

Additionally, empowering local entrepreneurs to design solutions for Kashmir’s winters can provide sustainable support to communities. Startups could focus on creating affordable snow-clearing equipment, insulated materials, and portable heating devices customized for Kashmir’s unique needs. Supporting such initiatives ensures locally driven, cost-effective solutions while fostering innovation and self-reliance within the region.

Addressing transportation challenges

Snowfall in Kashmir often disrupts transportation, particularly in rural areas, where roads may remain blocked for days. This paralysis of essential services isolates communities and leaves tourists stranded.

Effective solutions can be drawn from snowy regions like the USA, which have perfected winter road management through advanced systems and technologies. Implementing modern snow clearance techniques, such as deploying specialized equipment like snowplows, rotary snow blowers, and ice-breaking machinery, can reduce the time needed to clear vital transportation routes. Additionally, pre-treating roads with brine solutions or eco-friendly de-icing chemicals before snowfall can help prevent ice accumulation, ensuring safer and smoother movement.

Accurate meteorological forecasting will play a crucial role in the success of these efforts. Designating high-traffic and emergency service routes as priority zones for snow clearance is equally important to minimize critical disruptions and ensure that essential services stay operational during the harsh winter months.

Addressing heating and accessibility challenges

Heating remains a critical issue in Kashmir, both indoors and outdoors. Traditional hamaans, which provide floor heating through wood-fired furnaces, have become a preferred choice over electronic appliances due to frequent power outages in winter. However, not all households can afford hamaans, and while kangris are widely used, they pose health risks and are often limited by coal shortages, particularly in urban areas. Modern, cost-effective, and reliable heating solutions are urgently needed to address these challenges comprehensively. The administration can play a pivotal role in overcoming infrastructural deficiencies with well-planned interventions. For instance, installing heating coils beneath essential roads, sidewalks, and bridges in urban areas can prevent snow accumulation, reduce accidents, and enhance accessibility.

Additionally, constructing insulated and heated bus shelters along major routes can provide commuters with relief from harsh weather conditions. Tourist hotspots should be equipped with designated winter shelters offering heating, food, and medical aid to ensure safety and comfort for visitors. Improved connectivity is also crucial for reducing winter hardships. The nearing completion of the railroad project connecting Kashmir to the rest of India is a promising development.

Complementing rail services with upgraded airports capable of operating in extreme weather conditions can maintain access during road blockages.

Furthermore, developing ropeways or cable car systems in remote and snow-prone areas can offer reliable alternatives to traditional road travel, ensuring uninterrupted movement and better access for isolated communities.

Tackling freezing water supply issues

A major challenge during Kashmir’s winters is the disruption of drinking water supply caused by sub-zero temperatures freezing pipes.

Addressing this persistent issue requires integrating innovative and cost-effective solutions into infrastructure planning. One effective method is the application of heat-reflective coatings on pipes, which helps prevent freezing without relying on external energy sources by maintaining internal temperatures.

Additionally, lightweight and efficient materials like aerogels can be wrapped around pipes during construction to provide superior thermal insulation without the bulk of traditional methods. Advanced technologies, such as phase-change materials, can stabilize pipe temperatures by absorbing and releasing heat as needed, preventing freezing even under extreme conditions. Emerging nanomaterials with exceptional insulating properties offer eco-friendly and lightweight alternatives to conventional insulation solutions. By adopting these advanced strategies, Kashmir can ensure an uninterrupted water supply throughout its harsh winters, alleviating a critical hardship faced by residents.

The role of Non-Resident Kashmiris (NRKs) in driving change

Non-Resident Kashmiris (NRKs) working abroad represent a valuable resource of knowledge and expertise that can be leveraged to address Kashmir’s winter challenges. Their contributions can range from co-investing in infrastructure projects, such as modern road systems, community heating plants, and tourist shelters, to mentoring and knowledge-sharing.

However, for this potential to be realized, the administration must take proactive steps to create secure and efficient investment opportunities for NRKs. Globally, the Kashmiri diaspora excels in diverse fields, including engineering, medicine, renewable energy, and disaster management. By engaging with these professionals, Kashmir can begin to tackle winter-related challenges.

The immediate focus should be on knowledge transfer. NRKs with expertise in transportation planning, renewable energy, and emergency response can mentor local engineers and contribute to skill development. NRKs can also partner with the administration to sponsor mobile health units, snow-clearing equipment, and emergency relief kits for vulnerable communities. Additionally, promoting Kashmir’s winter tourism potential through global platforms and advocating for responsible tourism can stimulate the local economy, generate employment, and improve livelihoods. By bridging the gap between the Kashmiri diaspora and local initiatives, NRKs can play a pivotal role in transforming winter hardships into opportunities for growth and resilience.

Rapid response aid for emergencies

Snowstorms in Kashmir often leave residents and tourists stranded, vulnerable, and without necessary resources. Establishing a proactive emergency response system is essential to address these risks effectively. Currently, disaster management teams operate only during major natural calamities, leaving a critical gap in everyday emergencies. To bridge this gap, the administration can introduce mobile rescue teams trained to respond swiftly to crises. These teams should be equipped with snowmobiles, GPS devices, and first aid kits to reach and assist individuals in inaccessible areas during extreme snowy conditions.

Emergency relief centers can also be set up in remote villages and tourist routes, stocked with essentials such as blankets, food, heating equipment, and medical supplies. Tourist safety should be a priority. A winter tourist safety app providing real-time updates on road conditions, weather forecasts, and emergency contacts can enhance preparedness. Mandatory registration of tourists in high-risk areas would enable faster and more efficient responses during emergencies.

Community-driven initiatives, such as those seen in Ganderbal where residents opened mosques for stranded tourists, exemplify the resilience and generosity of Kashmiris. These efforts can be formalized by training local volunteers in avalanche rescue, first aid, and snow clearance to act as first responders in emergencies. By combining administrative action with community participation, Kashmir can build a robust rapid response system to protect its residents and visitors during harsh winters.

A collaborative path forward

To address its winter woes, Kashmir needs a multi-stakeholder approach:

1. The government must prioritize winter infrastructure projects, adopt USA-inspired practices, and set up policies to attract investment from NRKs.

2. Youth can be a beacon of change by leading innovation and applying global knowledge to local challenges.

3. Local Communities can take part in training programs and volunteer for emergency response teams.

4. NRKs, as Kashmir’s most significant human resource, can bridge the region with global expertise, support innovation, and bring necessary funding and resources to drive long-term solutions.

By leveraging the strengths of each stakeholder, Kashmir can build a resilient infrastructure to overcome the hardships of its harsh winters.

Take home message

Kashmir’s harsh winters do not have to be synonymous with suffering. By addressing key challenges such as transportation, enhancing local rapid response systems, and empowering youth through entrepreneurship, the region can transform its greatest hardship into an opportunity for growth. Lessons from the USA and European countries in managing extreme winter conditions can guide Kashmir toward effective solutions. A strong winter preparedness plan, supported by the contributions of Non-Resident Kashmiris (NRKs), offers a practical path to resilience and prosperity. A future where roads stay clear, homes stay warm, and no one is isolated is achievable with sincerity and proactive efforts. What is needed is a unified vision, collaboration, and determination to transform Kashmir. By empowering the local population through education, technology, and innovation, Kashmir can evolve from a frozen paradise into a thriving, progressive, and promising region. This vision can serve as the catalyst for change—a winter not of hardship, but of hope and progress.

The author is a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Biotechnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States. An aspiring environmentally conscious entrepreneur aiming to invest in innovative green solutions to address Kashmir’s ecological challenges and promote sustainable regional development.