Kashmir Higher Reaches Receive Fresh Snowfall as Baramulla Records 49.5 mm Overnight Rainfall

Fresh snowfall blanketed the higher reaches of the Kashmir Valley overnight, cutting off key mountain arteries and plunging the region into a sharp winter chill.

Down in the plains, moderate to heavy rain pounded Srinagar and surrounding districts through Friday morning. Officials moved swiftly. Heavy snowplows mobilized before dawn across the Zojila Pass and the Mughal Road in south Kashmir's Shopian district to clear snowbanks and restore halted transit corridors.

Snow accumulated rapidly across the tourist hubs of Gulmarg and Sonamarg, alongside the upper reaches of Gurez and Kupwara. The sudden plunge in temperature drove residents indoors, intensifying winter conditions across northern and southern districts alike. Traffic officials halted vehicular movement along high-altitude passes until emergency teams could scrape black ice and drifts off the tarmac.

Mountain Corridors Blocked as Precipitation Surges

The Meteorological Department logged significant precipitation figures across north Kashmir during the overnight burst. Baramulla bore the brunt of the downpour, recording 49.5 mm of rainfall before dawn. Gulmarg registered 40.6 mm alongside its fresh snow cover, while Kupwara measured 37.3 mm.

The weather broke by mid-morning. Forecasters noted conditions will improve gradually across the valley, though scattered light rain or high-altitude flurries may persist over the next 24 hours.

The Meteorological Department expects stable atmospheric conditions to take over shortly, projecting generally dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir from November 15 through November 21.