Pahalgam

Geography

Pahalgam is located in Anantnag district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located at an altitude of in the Lidder Valley, which extends east of Jhelum River in the Vale of Kashmir. The two streams of Lidder River—East and West Lidder—join near Pahalgam before proceeding through the narrow valley. At Pahalgam, the valley divides into two, one heading towards Amarnath in the northeast and another leading to Aru in the northwest. The region is made up of volcanic and limestone rocks interspersed with asymmetrical roche rocks. The vegetation in the region is dominated by evergreen fir and coniferous trees such as pine and spruce. Pahalgam has a temperate climate (Köppen: Cfb/Dfb), with mild summers and cold winters. The temperature variation across the day in minimal in the winter months of December to February. Cold winds can result in a steep decrease in nighttime temperatures in winter to below zero. Winter can result in heavy snowfall of up to thick. Summer extends from June to October, when the temperatures are at a maximum. Pahalgam receives most of the precipitation from late winter after November to May before the onset of summer.