Srinagar, May 25 (IANS) While large parts of India continue to reel under severe heatwave conditions, tourists visiting Kashmir are enjoying the Valley’s cool and refreshing weather. Visitors in Srinagar and other popular destinations described the pleasant climate as a welcome escape from the soaring temperatures being experienced in several states across the country.

Tourists from different parts of India said the comfortable weather, scenic beauty, and warm hospitality of locals have made their visit to Kashmir memorable.

Rushi Barot, a tourist from Gujarat, told IANS, “The weather conditions in Kashmir are much better than in Gujarat. Temperatures in Gujarat are touching around 47 degrees Celsius because of the heatwave. After coming here, it feels as if I have arrived during the winter season. I am feeling really good. The local people are very welcoming, and the houseboat experience has also been wonderful. We visited Gulmarg and Sonmarg as well. People say Kashmir is heaven on Earth, and now I truly feel that it is.”

Another tourist, Chandni, shared her excitement about finally visiting the Valley with her family. “I had wanted to visit Kashmir for a very long time. We came here with our family and are enjoying a lot. We especially wanted to see snow. The scenic beauty here has made me extremely happy,” she said.

Large parts of north, central and eastern India are set to remain under intense heatwave conditions through the week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of severe heat in several states till at least May 28, while parts of Delhi-NCR could see light rain, thunderstorms and a gradual drop in temperatures towards the weekend.

Meanwhile, the renewed tourist enthusiasm comes despite the challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir following the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which civilians were targeted by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The attack had briefly impacted tourism, investor confidence, and normal activity across the region.

Following the incident, at least 48 resorts and several tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir were temporarily closed as a precautionary measure. The situation became more tense after the launch of Operation Sindoor two weeks later and subsequent retaliatory actions by Pakistan. However, despite initial concerns and disruptions, tourists gradually returned to the Valley, refusing to let fear overshadow their travel plans.

Tourism, considered the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, witnessed a temporary slowdown after the attack due to security concerns and reduced bookings. Nevertheless, the sector recovered steadily over the following months.

Official figures showed that more than 1.7 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2025. Although the number was lower than the record 2.4 crore visitors seen in the previous year, it remained significantly higher than the 1.1 crore tourists recorded in 2021, reflecting the region’s resilience and continuing appeal among travellers.

–IANS

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