Snowfall in the Hills Before Weekend, Plains Shiver; Record Snow Recorded in Some Areas

New Delhi: As Basant Panchami arrives, the mountains have been blanketed in snow, delighting tourists and offering a boost to the tourism sector ahead of the Republic Day long weekend. Snowfall of 10 to 15 inches was reported across regions from Kashmir to Himachal Pradesh.

Snowfall Brings Joy to Tourists
The winter weather took a dramatic turn on Basant Panchami, with the mountains finally receiving snowfall after a prolonged dry spell caused by weak western disturbances. Tourists and tourism officials expressed excitement, noting that the timing—just before the weekend and Republic Day holiday—could significantly benefit tourism.

In Kashmir, heavy snowfall began on Thursday, creating a thick blanket of snow with temperatures plunging below zero. Srinagar recorded around 8 inches, while popular tourist destinations such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam were covered in a thick layer of snow.

In Himachal Pradesh, regions like Shimla, Manali, and Kullu received 10 to 15 inches of snow, breaking a three-month dry spell. Areas close to Delhi, including Kufri, Narkanda, and Shimla, also witnessed snowfall. Near Manali, Kothi village recorded 15 centimeters, marking the heaviest snowfall in the state this season.

Warnings and Alerts
The Jammu & Kashmir administration issued landslide warnings for six districts due to the fresh snowfall. High-risk areas include Ganderbal, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, and Kupwara, especially regions above 2,300–2,500 meters. Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution and avoid landslide-prone areas.

Plains Also Feel the Chill
Northern plains including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh experienced rain accompanied by lightning, thunder, and strong winds. The India Meteorological Department issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts in Rajasthan.

Impact on Pilgrimages and Traffic
The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage was temporarily suspended due to the first snowfall at the shrine. Poor weather also forced the closure of Srinagar Airport, leading to cancellation of several flights to and from Kashmir.

In the mountain regions, sudden weather changes disrupted road traffic. Key routes in Himachal such as Kufri, Narkanda, and Khadapathar were completely blocked, while the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near the Nav-yug Tunnel was temporarily closed. Snowfall also partially affected rail services between Jammu and Kashmir.

The snow has brought both beauty and challenges, delighting tourists while testing the preparedness of local authorities and travelers.