Most parts of the Kashmir Valley received the season’s first snowfall on Friday, disrupting normal life and cutting the region off from the outside world as air traffic was suspended and key roads, including the strategic Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, were blocked.
Officials said heavy precipitation was recorded across Kashmir over the last 24 hours, with higher reaches receiving moderate to heavy snowfall.
According to the Meteorological department, the famous ski resort of Gulmarg received nearly two feet of snow Friday morning. The hill resort of Pahalgam reported 18 cm of snow, Qazigund 5 cm, and Kupwara recorded a significant 27 cm of snowfall during the period. Srinagar received 37 mm of rainfall.
In Karnah Valley of Kupwara district, an unusual snowfall has been recorded in the Seemari–Teetwal belt, an area that rarely sees snow even during peak winters due to generally warmer surroundings.
This time, snow accumulation crossed 2 inches, making it the first such event after 2005.
The Meteorological Department has forecast widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir over the next 24 hours, with the possibility of isolated heavy falls at some places. The weather system is also expected to trigger thunderstorms in parts of the region, while higher reaches may continue to receive snow.
The air traffic in the region had been suspended due to the weather conditions.
“In view of continuous snowfall, accumulation of snow on operational areas, and the prevailing forecast of adverse weather en route, all flight operations at Srinagar Airport stand cancelled for the day in the interest of passenger safety,” an official at the Srinagar Airport said.
An official of the Traffic Control Department said that all roads leading into and out of the Kashmir Valley have been closed in view of the ongoing snowfall.
He said key routes, including the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, Srinagar–Leh Highway, Mughal Road, and several roads connecting remote areas of north Kashmir, have been shut to traffic as a precautionary measure.
The snowfall also caused widespread power outages in the region.
Strong gusty winds across Kashmir last evening damaged the power infrastructure affecting supply in parts of Srinagar and other districts. Officials at the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited said that restoration work was underway to restore electricity at the earliest.
