Srinagar city experienced its first snowfall of the season on Friday, with most parts of the Kashmir Valley receiving fresh snow that disrupted normal life and transportation. While the plains saw light to moderate snowfall, upper reaches and popular tourist resorts recorded moderate to heavy accumulations. Uptown areas of Srinagar received around two inches, and regions near the airport saw three to four inches, leading to the temporary closure of the runway and cancellation of more than 20 flights.

Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir accumulated over two feet of fresh snow, Sonamarg in Ganderbal district recorded more than six inches, and Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag received around three inches. Several districts including Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Shopian, Pulwama, and Bandipora reported moderate to heavy snowfall, while Anantnag and Kulgam experienced light to moderate falls. Some downtown Srinagar areas received rain instead of snow, and precipitation continued in many places as per the latest updates.

The snowfall directly impacted aviation, with airport officials stating the runway remained unavailable and operations would resume at least four hours after the snow stops. The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed due to snow and rain along its route, while the alternate Mughal Road and the Srinagar-Leh highway via Sonamarg and Zojila were also shut for traffic. Authorities have deployed men and machinery to clear vital roads and restore connectivity.

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High-speed winds the previous night caused widespread damage, uprooting trees, snapping power lines, and damaging electricity poles and rooftops in various areas. Power outages affected multiple parts of the valley, though restoration efforts are underway. The Meteorological Department has forecasted the weather system to persist until Friday evening, with a possibility of heavy rain or snow, gusty winds, or hailstorms in districts across the Pir Panjal range, Chenab valley, and south Kashmir.

District administrations and police have set up control rooms and helplines to assist residents during the inclement weather. The fresh snowfall brings scenic beauty to the region but poses challenges for travel, tourism, and daily commuting as winter tightens its grip on Jammu and Kashmir.

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