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Written by: Tahir Nadeem Khan Yusafzai

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 04 June 2015

BHADERWAH: After four days of torrential rains fresh snowfall occurred in mountainous belt of Bhadarwah Valley in Jammu and Kashmir even as the plains witnessed heavy rainfall. There was fresh snowfall in Kailash Mountain Range, Padri Gali, Bhaal Padri, Braid Baal,Nehyed Chilly and Asha Pati Glacier surrounding Bhadarwah Valley since yesterday, official said today. This triggered extreme cold wave condition in Bhadarwah and adjoining Gandoh Valley forcing the dwellers to wear warm clothes and to light up bonfires and traditional 'Bukharies' (fire place) to keep themselves warm in chilly unseasonal cold wave. 'We have been trying to resist the swear cold condition since last three days but last night we succumbed to it and were left with no other option but to lit the Bukhari(fire place) which was not in use since April," said Abdul Qayoom Mughal a resident of Dhareja Bhaderwah adding that in my life I have never felt to lit fire place in June. Nomads who have started just reaching the meadows in the higher reaches of Bhadarwah valley with their Cattle(sheep,goats, mules and buffaloes ) for summer grazing seem to be the worst sufferer as due to fresh snowfall dozens of sheep have died. "I along with my cattle and 18 family members including 12 females have reached Padri meadow few days back as temperature in my native place Dhanore in Distt Kathua has soared but due to unseasonably snowfall and bone chilling winds i have already lost ten sheep and now i fear for my family members specially toddlers and elders as we have no other option but to face this weather in tented accommodation," said a nomad Mohd Farooq Bogda a resident of Dhanore Khatua adding that they have been coming in Padri meadow to graze their sheep in summers since last 40 years but have never witness such cold condition and snowfall in the month of June. It is notable to mention here that nearly 10, 000 nomads including Gujjars and Bakerwals reside in the vast meadows in the higher reaches of Bhadarwah valley and other parts of District Doda during summers to graze their cattle. Meanwhile the fresh spell of snowfall will have a negative impact on the Agriculture and Horticulture sectors of the area,an Official said.