Srinagar, March 20 -- As Kashmir prepares to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, a combination of unseasonal rains and economic pressures has cast a shadow over what is traditionally the busiest time for local markets. Normally, the days leading up to Eid see bustling markets, overflowing with shoppers buying garments, bakery items, mutton, and other essentials. This year, however, shopkeepers and traders are facing an unusually muted response, threatening their seasonal earnings. The recent spell of rain has forced shoppers to stay indoors or limit their trips to local markets, avoiding crowded city centres such as Lalchowk, Goni Khan, and Maharaj Bazar. The erratic weather, combined with a sudden drop in temperatures-from the pleasant February highs...