The Valley received fresh snowfall and light to moderate rainfall on Saturday.
With the Valley experiencing its driest winter season this year, the snow and rains have provided some respite for the farming community.
Tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg saw fresh snowfall, bringing cheer to the tourists visiting the region.
Many areas in Kashmir received fresh snowfall today. The plains in Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama districts received fresh snowfall.
The snowfall was also recorded in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam tourist resorts. Gurez in Bandipora district, some localities in Kupwara, and several areas in the higher reaches of the Valley also received snowfall.
Some parts of Srinagar also received a brief spell of snowfall today.
Srinagar and other plains received light to moderate rainfall.
Due to the heavy snowfall and rains, the schools and educational institutions in some areas of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district were closed.
“In view of incessant rains/snowfall, District Administration Kupwara has decided to close all the schools in Machil, Keran, Budnambal, Kumkadi, Jumagund and upper areas of Karnah till 17-03-2025,” Deputy Commissioner Kupwara said.
The snow and rain has caused a significant drop in temperatures.
The wet spell that began in Kashmir four days ago intensified on Friday night, bringing heavy rainfall to several parts of the region and snowfall in some areas of south Kashmir.
The Meteorological Department Srinagar has predicted widespread light to moderate rain or snow in the next 24 hours.
MeT said rainfall in the last 24 hours was recorded across various districts, with Qazigund in south Kashmir receiving the highest at 47.4 mm, followed by the tourist resort of Pahalgam 35.4 mm, Konibal 34 mm and Kokarnag 28.6 mm.
Srinagar city also recorded 18.7 mm of rainfall.
Pahalgam recorded 14 cm of fresh snowfall, while Gulmarg, the famous ski resort, recorded a snow depth of 13.7 cm.
The Jammu division was also affected by heavy rain. Banihal received 43.7 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, which was the highest in the region.
The MeT has advised travellers, tourists, and transporters to follow official advisories. Some roads in the higher reaches have become slippery and are closed to traffic.
It has also recommended that farmers halt farming activities until March 16. Additionally, the government has issued an avalanche warning for snowbound areas of North Kashmir.
Many water bodies and springs had dried up due to the lack of precipitation earlier in the season. January and February 2025 saw negligible rainfall, leading to the drying of water bodies, glaciers, and rampant forest fires. However, these recent rains and snow have provided much-needed relief to the locals.