Erratic weather disrupts outdoor sporting activities in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jul 23: Intermittent rainfall over the past week has soaked playfields across Kashmir, disrupting several outdoor sporting events and affecting both local tournaments and activities of the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS).

Officials from DYSS told Greater Kashmir that the wet spell has forced the postponement of multiple matches scheduled under the summer sports calendar. “Yes, it is getting affected due to the rains. We will try to stay connected and intact as much as possible, but open fields are waterlogged and unfit for play,” said an official.

The persistent showers have left organisers of local cricket leagues scrambling to revise fixtures. According to cricket observers, several ongoing leagues and tournaments across the valley have either been cancelled or rescheduled due to unplayable conditions.

“Scheduled matches of the Bandipora Premier League got disrupted due to the rain. Similarly, Shallabugh witnessed cancellations, while the Ramhal Cricket League in Kupwara continued as there was less rainfall,” said Mushtaq Ahmad War.

In Srinagar, most local tournaments were hit by wet outfields, forcing organisers either to share points or issue revised fixtures for washed-out games.

DYSS officials said that when weather improves, the pending schedule will put additional pressure on players and organisers.

The official added that while many outdoor events remain suspended, some indoor activities, like handball tournaments, have continued as planned.

However, cricket, considered the valley’s most popular sport, has been the hardest hit.

Meanwhile, a major football tournament, the Kashmir Super League 2025, currently underway in Srinagar, has remained unaffected as matches are being played on the synthetic turf at TRC Ground. The event continues to draw large crowds, with fans turning up in numbers to support their favourite teams.

According to the Meteorological Department, light to moderate rain/thunder at many places with intense showers/heavy to very heavy rain at isolated to scattered places of Jammu Div (Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, JMU & Kathua) is expected on 24 July.

As per the MeT forecast, a few places in the Kashmir Division may also receive moderate & intense showers.

From 25 to 27 July, the weather department has made a forecast of hot & humid with the possibility of brief showers at a few places.

From 28 to 30 July, the Met forecasts intermittent light to moderate rain/thundershowers with intense showers/heavy rain at a few places in the Jammu Division, mainly towards late night/early morning hours.