Snow and rain marked a dramatic weather shift across north India on Friday. Temperatures dropped sharply as the prolonged dry spell finally ended with unseasonal snowfall and rainfall. The change brought relief to farmers in many regions and excitement among tourists in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the long holiday weekend.
Fresh snowfall across large parts of Jammu and Kashmir led to the closure of the Srinagar–Jammu national highway. The Mata Vaishno Devi yatra was suspended, and more than 20 flights were cancelled in Kashmir due to poor weather conditions.
Gulmarg received over two feet of fresh snow, while Sonamarg in Ganderbal district received more than six inches. The Pahalgam resort in Anantnag district received around three inches of snowfall.
Moderate to heavy snowfall was reported in several areas of Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Shopian, Pulwama and Bandipora districts.
Air traffic to and from Kashmir remained suspended on Friday after flight operations at Srinagar airport were cancelled. Officials said heavy snowfall in the valley had rendered the runway unsafe for aircraft operations.
In the Jammu region, schools in Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua districts were closed after snowfall was reported in high-altitude areas. In Delhi, the city recorded its first rain of the year, bringing an end to a long spell of dry winter weather. The rainfall also provided brief relief from the city’s high pollution levels.
As soldiers marched along Kartavya Path in rain-soaked uniforms and boots during the Republic Day rehearsal, office-goers struggled with traffic congestion and cold as peak-hour rain slowed the city.
Himachal Pradesh received its first snowfall of the winter on Friday, ending a nearly three-month-long dry spell. The snowfall brought cheer to tourists and transformed the hill state into a winter wonderland. Tourists were seen enjoying the snow at popular destinations across the state.
In Uttarakhand, snowfall in higher reaches and rainfall in the plains brought an end to a prolonged dry spell and intensified the cold wave across the state. Fresh snowfall covered Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Auli, Mussoorie, Chakrata, Dhanaulti and Uttarkashi in a thick blanket of snow.
In Rajasthan, rainfall linked to a fresh western disturbance was reported in several areas, including Jaipur. Pushkar in Ajmer district received the highest rainfall at 13 mm. Light to moderate fog was also observed at a few locations.
Punjab and Haryana also saw an end to a prolonged dry spell as both states received rainfall on Friday. The rain led to a rise in minimum temperatures, which remained above normal levels.
Most parts of the two states, including their joint capital Chandigarh, have been experiencing unsettled weather since late Thursday night.
Also Read: Avalanche warning issued for six districts in J&K
Follow us
