The Tulip Garden opens today to a Valley draped in rain and unseasonal cold. Three Western Disturbances are forecast to strike Jammu and Kashmir in quick succession through March 20, with widespread rain, snowfall at higher reaches, and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph expected at several places. The timing is unfortunate. The optics, however, should not define the season. Kashmir’s tourism economy needs this spring. Stakeholders must resist the temptation of panic. The government must hold its nerve, ensuring road access, hotel LPG supply, and airport operations remain functional through the weather window. Seasons are not lost to one week of rain. They are lost to poor administrative response.
