Month-long dry spell ends with first snowfall of the season

Kashmir’s higher reaches saw the season’s first snowfall on Monday, bringing an end to a month-long dry spell, officials said. Light snowfall was reported in the Affarwat area of Gulmarg in Baramulla district and at Sadhna Top in Kupwara district, while Srinagar and other plains received rainfall later in the afternoon.

The precipitation significantly lowered day temperatures, marking the onset of winter in the region. Snowfall was also reported in uninhabited mountainous areas, adding to the wintery transformation across the valley.

Snow also fell at the tourist resort of Sonamarg, located on the border with union territory of Ladakh, and Zojilla pass that connects Jammu and Kashmir with Ladakh, closing it. The snow clearance work started on the pass soon after.  The Drass area of Kargil in Ladakh also received snowfall of about 3 inches. This has brought temperature down in Kashmir Valley and Ladakh