Srinagar: The Kashmir Valley has been experiencing rain and snowfall since Sunday, leading to a drop in daytime temperatures and the closure of mountain highways across the region. Snowfall occurred in the upper reaches of Gulmarg (including the Apharwat and Kongdoori areas). Snowfall was also reported at Pir Ki Gali—located on the Mughal Road in South Kashmir’s Shopian district—and in the Sonamarg-Zojila region. Officials stated that the Srinagar-Leh National Highway had to be closed due to snowfall at the Zojila Pass.
According to forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) center in Srinagar, the plains of the Kashmir Valley witnessed light to heavy rainfall starting Sunday morning, while rain lashed mountainous areas such as Pir Ki Gali in Shopian district and Razdan Top in Bandipora district.
District officials in Shopian and Bandipora have ordered the closure of the Mughal Road and the Bandipora-Gurez Road following fresh snowfall in these mountainous regions. The Mughal Road connects the Kashmir Valley to the Poonch-Rajouri districts via Shopian.
Due to the change in weather conditions, farmers and apple orchardists have halted their agricultural activities, including the spraying of pesticides. Consequently, daytime temperatures have plummeted to 5 to 8 degrees Celsius below normal levels. During the last week of February and the first two weeks of the current month, temperatures in the valley had remained above normal, hovering around the 20-degree mark. The IMD center in New Delhi had forecast on Saturday that a Western Disturbance would impact the Western Himalayan region and adjacent plains on March 15–16, potentially bringing scattered rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and a possibility of hailstorms. The department has advised the public and travelers to stay updated with official weather advisories and to take necessary precautions. In its one-week forecast, the Srinagar Meteorological Centre stated that the first Western Disturbance will begin impacting the region on March 15, leading to light to moderate rain and snowfall at several locations on March 15 and 16. The forecast indicates that fresh snowfall is likely at tourist destinations such as Gulmarg and Sonamarg, while some mountain passes could record snowfall ranging from approximately six inches to two feet over a 48-hour period. The IMD added that two additional Western Disturbances are expected to influence the weather in Kashmir between March 17 and March 20, potentially resulting in intermittent rain or snowfall.
The IMD further noted that the weather in the Valley is expected to remain dry between March 21 and March 23, while light rain or snowfall may return to the hilly regions of Kashmir between March 24 and March 25. Meanwhile, after a hiatus of six days, the Zojila Pass has reopened for light motor vehicles. Over 2,000 travelers and 300 vehicles were permitted to proceed towards Ladakh through the pass.
