After nearly three months of severe drought and an 85% reduction in rainfall since November, the Kashmir Valley, Pir Panjal region, and Chenab Valley in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir were blanketed by heavy snow in the first major snowfall of the season, which occurred between Thursday and Friday night.
According to Kashmir Media Service, snow accumulation ranged from one to four feet across various parts of the Kashmir Valley.

The famous tourist destination of Gulmarg recorded about 3 feet of snow. Baramulla saw around 1 foot of snow, while Handwara and Kupwara received about 1.5 feet. In Budgam district, Pakharpora, Charar-e-Sharief, and Beerwah received around 1 to 2 feet of snow, while Sonamarg tourist resort in Ganderbal district recorded 2 feet of snow. In south Kashmir, the plains of Shopian received 3 to 3.5 feet of snow, while high-altitude areas like Hirpora and Sedow recorded 4 to 5 feet.

The meteorological department of IIOJK has forecast that snowfall is expected to continue through Saturday. The administration has issued an alert, urging people to take necessary precautions and avoid unnecessary travel. The snowfall has caused widespread disruptions to daily life in the territory, with transportation services coming to a halt.

The only road connecting the Kashmir Valley to the outside world, the Srinagar-Jammu highway, along with other key roads, including the Srinagar-Leh highway, Mughal Road, Bandipora-Gurez Road, Sinthan-Kishtwar Road, have all been closed due to snow. Train services have also been suspended, and all 26 flights scheduled to depart from Srinagar Airport on Friday were canceled.

Additionally, strong winds, reaching speeds of 60 to 87 kilometers per hour for three to four hours on Thursday night, caused further damage. Several roofs were blown off in parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, and fallen trees led to a complete breakdown of the electricity supply system.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)