A tourist recently went viral after mistaking Kashmir’s thick winter fog for pollution. The mix-up triggered a wave of online jokes and memes, but for those who live in the valley, the confusion is far from funny.

Winters in Kashmir can be merciless, bringing not just biting cold but air that often feels heavy, smoky, and harsh on the lungs. The line between fog and smog blurs long before it reaches social media.

From late autumn, households begin burning wood, charcoal, and leaves to stay warm. The smoke settles in the valley, mixing with naturally stagnant winter air and slowly degrading its quality. Oxygen levels drop, green cover vanishes, and the air turns toxic enough to make breathing a struggle.

Every winter, many Kashmiris head to warmer areas to survive the harsh conditions. T

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