"Snowless Conditions Lead to Ski Resort Closure"...Exposed Ground at Himalaya Ski Resort

Himalaya Gulmarg Ski Resort, Operation Impossible
Snowfall 80% Less Than Usual... Weather Anomaly

Snowfall in the Indian Himalayan region has decreased by as much as 80% compared to the average year, causing nearby ski resorts to close one after another. While heavy snowfall continues in Europe and the United States, drought persists in the Himalayas, raising concerns about water shortages.

On the 10th (local time), the Gulmarg ski resort in the Kashmir region of India, where operations were suspended due to insufficient snowfall. [Image source=X (formerly Twitter)]

According to CNN on the 17th (local time), the Gulmarg ski resort in the Indian Kashmir region, famous as the highest resort in the world, is unable to operate due to a lack of snow. This large ski resort attracts more than 1.65 million tourists annually, but this winter, snowfall has decreased by more than 80% compared to previous years, exposing the ground.

January is usually the peak season for this ski resort, but reservations are being canceled one after another, CNN reported. So far this month, there has not been a single snowfall in the Gulmarg area. CNN also reported that snowfall in Kashmir as well as most parts of the Himalayan mountain range has significantly decreased compared to the previous year.

While severe cold waves and heavy snowstorms are hitting mainly the United States and Europe, the Himalayan region is experiencing worsening snowfall shortages, which is being analyzed as an impact of abnormal weather caused by global warming.

Earlier, it was reported that major hub airports in northern Europe, including Germany, were paralyzed due to heavy snowfall. Frankfurt Airport, where about 700 flights were canceled, and Munich saw cancellations of more than 250 flights. Flight delays and cancellations continued at D?sseldorf Airport and Cologne Bonn Airport in western Germany. Saarbr?cken Airport was completely closed.

Damage is spreading not only in Germany but throughout northern Europe due to the sudden cold wave. Oslo Airport in Norway was closed from the morning due to heavy snowfall. At Gothenburg Landvetter Airport in Sweden, a plane heading to Amsterdam skidded on the runway. In the United Kingdom, more than 100 schools were ordered to close.

These abnormal weather phenomena, such as the cold wave in Europe and drought in South Asia, are analyzed to be related to the large-scale El Ni?o phenomenon that started after about three years. El Ni?o is a phenomenon where the sea surface temperature in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean rises more than 0.5 degrees above the average. In particular, during winter, it brings increased precipitation and cold waves to East Asia, Europe, and the Americas, while causing severe droughts in surrounding regions.