Fresh Snowfall Blankets Northern Indian States

Fresh snowfall has blanketed parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, causing disruptions to normal life in the northern regions of India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously forecasted heavy rain and snowfall in these mountainous states due to a western disturbance.

In Jammu province, high-altitude areas, including the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, witnessed a new layer of snow. The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district, experienced snowfall in Bhairon Ghati, Himkoti, and along the route to the shrine. Despite the weather conditions, pilgrimages to the temple proceeded unaffected, with hundreds of pilgrims departing from the Katra base camp.

Srinagar and other low-lying areas of Kashmir saw the season’s first snowfall, bringing joy to residents. Srinagar received approximately two inches of snow, while other areas like Anantnag, Qazigund, Pahalgam, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Gulmarg recorded varying degrees of snowfall.

In Himachal Pradesh, the tribal areas and high-altitude regions witnessed the first significant snowfall of the year, leading to the closure of 134 roads, including four national highways. The weather disruption affected normal life, with intermittent snowfall since Tuesday night. Popular tourist destinations like Manali, Dalhousie, Sangla, Narkanda, and Kufri encountered moderate snowfall, while scattered rains occurred in the mid and low hills.

Uttarakhand also experienced a sudden change in weather, with Badrinath Dham witnessing continuous and substantial snowfall since Wednesday. The Badrinath Temple premises and surrounding hills are covered in a pristine layer of snow. The Kedarnath Temple also saw snowfall for the second consecutive day, and the Surkanda Devi Hills in Tehri Garhwal turned into a winter wonderland due to recent snowfall.

The snowfall has added to the winter charm of these regions but has also raised concerns about travel disruptions and the impact on daily life. The local Meteorological office issued warnings for heavy snow and rains in isolated areas, urging residents and authorities to take necessary precautions.