After a prolonged dry spell through February, several higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Sunday, bringing cheer to tourists and locals alike.
The famous ski resort of Gulmarg was among the prominent places to witness snowfall. Other districts that recorded snowfall include Ganderbal, Kupwara, Shopian and Bandipora.
Snow was also reported from the higher reaches of Gurez Valley, while areas such as Pir Ki Gali and the Zoji La axis also experienced fresh snowfall.
Visuals from Gulmarg showed tourists enjoying the snow-covered slopes, with many taking photographs and playing in the fresh snow. Visitors described the snowfall as a pleasant surprise. A tourist from Bihar said she was overjoyed to witness snowfall during her visit.
Videos from Shopian showed pine trees covered in snow, adding to the scenic beauty of the area and attracting visitors.
Meanwhile, rainfall was recorded in the plains, including Srinagar, leading to a drop in day temperatures across the Valley.
Snowfall also affected traffic movement in some areas. At Sinthan Top, traffic movement was disrupted due to accumulation of snow on the road.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the sudden change in weather to a fresh western disturbance affecting the western Himalayan region.
According to the weather department, intermittent light to moderate rain in the plains and snowfall in higher reaches is likely to continue till March 20. Isolated places may also receive brief spells of rain or snow over the next few days.
Snowfall in March is considered off-season for the western Himalayas, as the region typically receives most of its snowfall between December and February.
