Even as north, central, and eastern India swelter under an intense heatwave, tourists are flocking to Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley, drawn by cool temperatures that offer a sharp contrast to the 47°C readings being recorded in states like Gujarat. Visitors across popular destinations including Gulmarg and Sonmarg described the Valley's climate as a welcome reprieve, underscoring Kashmir's growing role as a summer refuge for Indian travellers.

Tourists Speak: 'Heaven on Earth'

Rushi Barot, a tourist from Gujarat, captured the mood of many visitors. '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,' he said.

Another visitor, Chandni, who travelled to the Valley with her family, said the trip had been long-awaited. '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.

Heatwave Context: Why Kashmir Stands Apart

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of severe heatwave conditions across several states through at least 28 May. Parts of Delhi-NCR may see light rain and thunderstorms towards the weekend, bringing some relief. Against this backdrop, Kashmir's temperate climate — typically cool even in late May — has become a major pull factor for domestic tourists seeking escape from the heat.

Recovery After Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor

The renewed tourist enthusiasm is particularly significant given the challenges the region has faced. The 22 April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which civilians were targeted by Pakistan-backed terrorists, had briefly disrupted tourism, investor confidence, and normal activity across Jammu and Kashmir. In the immediate aftermath, at least 48 resorts and several tourist destinations were temporarily shut as a precautionary measure.

Tensions escalated further following the launch of Operation Sindoor two weeks after the attack and subsequent retaliatory actions by Pakistan. Despite these disruptions, tourists gradually returned to the Valley, with many refusing to let security concerns derail their travel plans.

Tourism Numbers: Resilience Despite the Dip

Official figures show that more than 1.7 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2025. While this was lower than the record 2.4 crore visitors recorded the previous year, it remained substantially higher than the 1.1 crore tourists who visited in 2021 — a trajectory that reflects the region's enduring appeal and capacity to recover from disruption.

Tourism is widely regarded as the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir's economy, and the sector's steady recovery following the Pahalgam attack has been closely watched by both the administration and the hospitality industry. With summer arrivals picking up, stakeholders are cautiously optimistic about the months ahead.