India, Feb. 11 -- For much of this winter, snow eluded Kashmir, barring occasional spells on higher reaches. January, traditionally the Valley's coldest and most reliable snow month, arrived instead with dry air and alarmingly empty skies. By mid-month, official data confirmed the scale of the crisis: Jammu and Kashmir had recorded a 96 per cent rainfall deficit, receiving just 1.4 mm of precipitation between January 1 and January 14, against a normal of 33.3 mm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Then, finally, the snow came.

Late but decisive, fresh spells of snowfall across Kashmir's plains and higher reaches in the closing phase of Chillai Kalan, the harshest winter period, have altered the season for the better...