SRINAGAR, India — As the climate worsens in the Kashmir valley, a multitude of individuals gathered at the Jamia Masjid Srinagar, Dargah Hazratbal and other local mosques and shrines in Kashmir on Jan. 12 seeking divine intervention through special prayers for much-needed rain and snowfall.

Mohammed Sauleh, a 32-year-old attendee at Jamia Masjid, shared his experience, saying, “There were around 300 to 400 people, many of them crying, praying for snowfall and rain.”

The locals — deeply impacted by the unusual absence of snow and rain — perceive it as a divine trial.

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A prolonged dry spell has swept across the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir during the harshest phase of winter, leaving many sick and farmers worried about impending water shortages. Daytime temperatures have been high for about a month now, sometimes at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) above the norm. Nights continue to be freezing amid the dry weather.

“At the time of such trials, we should turn to Allah, seek his help through supplications, and ask him to make us steadfast on the path of Islam so that he delivers us from this difficult time,” Anjuman Auqaf, the managing body of Jamia Masjid, said.

Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema, an alliance of Muslim scholars, has asked the imams of J&K mosques, scholars, heads of religious institutions and the general public to organize “Salat Al-Istisqa” (a prayer for rain) and “pray to Almighty Allah at individual and collective levels for rain and respite from the harsh weather.”

On the unprecedented nature of the situation, Sauleh said, “The winters are about to go, and people here have been waiting for snowfall. This has happened for the first time in history where there is no sign of snow and rain in Kashmir.”

This Islamic tradition, rooted in the times of thr Prophet Muhammad, carries a rich history of turning to prayer during droughts or periods devoid of rain.

As Nayeem Iqbal, a 26-year-old aspiring Islamic orator, noted, “Offering prayers for rain, known as 'Salat al-Istisqa,' isn't just a ritual; it carries immense religious and historical importance in Islam.”

Riyaz Ahmed, 62, who attended the special prayers at Jamia Masjid, “keeps praying for the favorable weather.” For him, the challenging conditions are perceived as a manifestation of divine displeasure, “prompting a collective humble turning towards Allah.”

Riyaz Ahmed recalled how the community has traditionally sought Allah’s intervention in times of crisis, reflecting on past adversities like floods, harsh winters and earthquakes.

“It is the wrath of God and our test,” he added.

Agriculture, horticulture and tourism sectors — the backbone of Kashmir's economy — are facing severe setbacks due to the prolonged dry spell. Farmers and orchard owners are grappling with parched fields and shrunken water resources, significantly hampering crop yields and fruit production.

Nazir Ahmad Wani, 66, a farmer and resident of Marmat, Jammu and Kashmir, said he has experienced a sense of anxiety over the repercussions of the relentless dry spell.

“It is a worrying time for everyone in the region; there is no moisture on our agricultural land — all the greenery has turned red,” he said. “I can’t do anything about this, but I continue to have faith in God.”

Irfan Baba, 29, a tour driver catering to Indian tourists, said the dry spell has impacted his business and has seen a significant decline in bookings.

“The business is nothing like before,” he said.

Baba added, “Gulmarg, Kashmir's premier ski resort, remains shuttered due to the lack of snowfall.”

Indeed, the closure of its renowned slopes is a significant setback for winter sports enthusiasts and the local tourism industry alike.

“We are not getting bookings, and if we get some, they only stay here for a day or two as there is no snow,” Baba said.

Popular destinations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam have also witnessed a notably smaller influx of tourists compared to previous years during what’s known as “Chilla Kalan,” the phase for the harshest 40 days of winter period in Kashmir.

“It is the will of God, and we are the believers of His plans,” Baba said.

With the dry winter, an unfortunate consequence has been the rise in respiratory illnesses, with a noticeable increase in cases of chest diseases. The cold and cough season, exacerbated by the dry air, has left residents grappling with health concerns.

Raja Begum, 76, is suffering from a severe cough and chest congestion.

“I feel pain in my chest while breathing,” she said, “and this climate worsens my health conditions.”

Others didn’t see a need for the prayers.

“While prayers may provide a sense of spiritual comfort and community connection, addressing climate change requires a more comprehensive and collective effort,” said Nayeem Iqbal. “Climate change impacts, such as changing precipitation patterns, are complex issues that require a collaborative approach involving science, policy and community involvement.”

Shadab Farooq is an independent journalist based in New Delhi, India.