Bad weather puts a damper on Eid festivities in Kashmir
SRINAGAR: Incessant rains and cold weather put a damper on Eid festivities in Kashmir as a few shoppers were visible in markets, especially in Srinagar city. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the culmination of Ramzan and the festival sees a huge rush in the markets, especially in the last week.
However, this time there were subdued celebrations due to the incessant rainfall across the Valley for the past four days. The MeT office has predicted erratic weather for two more days. The ongoing construction works under the Smart City project in the city for the past several months had also kept Eid shoppers away from prominent markets, especially Lal Chowk and the Residency road. Many customers preferred to visit markets in the Old City for shopping instead of the city centre. However, a huge rush of customers could be seen outside bakeries, readymade kiosks, meat and poultry shops. Most of the businessmen complained slump in the markets. “We used to do brisk business during Eid. This time a majority of shoppers are missing. The rainfall has spoiled the business during the last week of Ramzan,” said Mohammad Yasin, a trader at Lal Chowk.
“The diversions in traffic, construction work in markets and the rains have made things worse for businessmen,” he added. Abdul Qayoom, who deals in readymade items at Batamaloo, said his business is 50% less compared to the previous years. “Even other shopkeepers who used to sell Eid items are complaining about low rush in markets.”
Omar Tibetbakal, a trader and spokesman of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries , said rain and Smart City projects had played a spoilsport during the festive season besides limited financial liquidity available.
“On Eid days, as per rough estimates, the quantum of trade is around Rs 2,000 crore. It could even be on the higher side.” General secretary, Traders Federation, Baramulla, Engineer Tariq Mughloo said the rains have spoiled the festivities. “People are just buying food and bakery items and most of them aren’t spending money on Eid which shows people have limited spending power.” he said.
Kashmir’s upper reaches receive fresh snowfall
The rains continued in Kashmir for the third consecutive day today and Gurez, Gulmarg and upper reaches of the Valley received fresh snow.
The MeT office has predicted wet weather for two more days. The temperature dropped by 8 to 10 degree Celsius in most parts of Kashmir.
Gurez and Tulail in Bandipora district recorded more than 6 inches of snow during the past 24 hours. The ski resort of Gulmarg also received snowfall. “Today weather has improved significantly. However, brief spell of rain may occur in some places in the afternoon and evening,” the MeT office said in a statement.
The rains saw the water level rising in all the streams and the Jhelum. In the last 24 hours, Srinagar received 28.3 mm of rainfall, Qazigund recorded 68 mm of rain while Gulmarg witnessed 40.4 mm of rain. However, there is no threat of floods as water was still flowing below the danger level mark in south Kashmir and Srinagar. Today rain and hailstorm triggered flash floods at many places. The hailstorm in some parts of Uri damaged orchards.