Heavy Snowfall In Kashmir Valley: Khelo India Winter Games 2025 To Get Underway
Second Phase of Khelo India Winter Games 2025 Scheduled for March 9-12, Representational Image: Canva
The much awaited second leg of the 5th ‘Khelo India Winter Games’ 2025 is now set to take place from March 9-12 in Gulmarg. This was anticipated well in advance following the prediction of heavy snowfall in the last week of February and the start of March 2025. The games, earlier scheduled from 22nd-25th Feb 2025, were deferred due to inadequate snowfall for the outdoor events. Following fairly widespread and heavy snowfall in the closing days of February, there is significant snow accumulation along the ski slopes of Gulmarg now.
The second leg of KIWG 2025 will witness the participation of over 300 athletes from across India, competing in the adventurous winter sports including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering, snowboarding and ice hockey. The first leg of KIWG was successfully hosted at Leh, Ladakh, from 23rd to 27th Jan 2025, featuring ice hockey and ice skating.
The right amount of snowfall at the right time is a prerequisite for the conduct of winter games. Lack of snow had led to the postponement of these games on earlier occasions, as well. This winter season was terribly short of snow over the mountains, till past mid-February. The shortfall across the hilly states of North India varied from 75% to 85%, the highest in the recent past. Courtesy, back-to-back western disturbances and favorable conditions in the second half of February and more so, in the last week of the month, revived the chances of this annual event. There was a decent recovery, and the seasonal deficit got lowered to just 42% for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Himachal Pradesh was still better, by reducing the margin to a mere 30% of the seasonal average.
Another western disturbance is likely to approach the region, coincidentally matching with the games window, between 09th and 12th March. The ski slopes will get reinforcement with yet another spell of snowfall during this period. The weather activity could be substantial between 10th and 11th March 2025. The earlier activity and the upcoming spell, together, will set the perfect stage for the conduct of KIWG 2025.
