New Delhi:
Just ahead of the Republic Day long weekend, widespread snowfall across the Himalayan region has brought cheer to tourists while intensifying the winter chill in the northern plains. On the occasion of Basant Panchami, fresh snowfall covered large parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, ending a prolonged dry spell in the mountains.
According to weather officials, 10 to 15 inches of snow was recorded in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, while Kashmir witnessed heavy snowfall beginning Thursday night. The snowfall is expected to provide a major boost to the tourism sector, which had been affected due to weak western disturbances earlier this winter.
Kashmir and Himachal Receive Heavy Snow
In Jammu & Kashmir, continuous snowfall over the past two days has covered the region in a thick white blanket. Srinagar recorded up to 8 inches of snow, while popular tourist destinations such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam witnessed significant accumulation. Temperatures across the Valley plunged below freezing.
In Himachal Pradesh, popular hill stations including Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Kufri, and Narkanda received 10 to 15 inches of snowfall, breaking a nearly three-month-long dry spell. Manali’s nearby Kothi village recorded around 15 centimeters of snow, the highest in the state this season.
Snowfall Brings Cheer to Tourists
The fresh snowfall ended a long wait for tourists, many of whom had been visiting hill stations since New Year in the hope of seeing snow. In Shimla, Friday marked the first snowfall of the season, leading to scenes of celebration among visitors. Tourism stakeholders are optimistic that the Republic Day weekend will witness a surge in bookings and footfall.
Avalanche and Landslide Alerts Issued
In view of the fresh snowfall, the Jammu & Kashmir administration issued landslide and avalanche warnings in six districts. Officials warned of a high risk of landslides in areas above 2,300 meters in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir. Similar alerts were issued for Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, and Kupwara, particularly in regions above 2,500 meters. Residents and travelers have been advised to remain cautious and avoid vulnerable zones.
Snowfall Across Uttarakhand
Several regions of Uttarakhand also experienced snowfall, many for the first time this season. Sacred sites including Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, along with tourist spots like Auli, Mussoorie, Chakrata, Dhanaulti, and Uttarkashi, were blanketed in snow, creating picturesque winter scenes.
Plains Shiver as Weather Turns Rough
The impact of western disturbances was also felt in the plains. Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh witnessed rain accompanied by thunder, lightning, and strong winds, leading to a sharp drop in temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts in Rajasthan.
Travel and Transport Disrupted
The sudden change in weather disrupted transportation across hilly regions. Roads in Kufri, Narkanda, and Khadapathar in Himachal Pradesh were completely blocked. The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway was closed near the Navyug Tunnel, while rail services between Jammu and Kashmir were partially affected.
Due to snowfall, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage was temporarily suspended, and flight operations at Srinagar Airport were halted, leading to multiple cancellations.
Weather Outlook
The IMD has forecast that snowfall activity may reduce gradually, though light to moderate snowfall is expected on January 24 and 25 as another western disturbance approaches the region.