The rains lashed wide parts of Kashmir on Monday, prompting authorities to set up emergency control rooms in vulnerable parts of the valley, officials said.
The tourist resort of Sonamarg in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district received the season’s first snowfall.

Heavy rains lashed Srinagar, Kupwara, Baramulla, Anantnag and Pulwama districts of the valley since morning.
In the Warnov forest area of Lolab in Kupwara, torrential rains accompanied by thunder forced people to rush towards safer places, fearing a cloudburst.
The upper reaches of Sonamarg have received light snowfall today, marking the season’s first whiteout, a MeT official said.
The Meteorological Department Kashmir has issued an advisory of moderate to heavy rainfall in many parts of Kashmir valley.
In view of the inclement weather, police in Pulwama and Anantnag districts have established emergency helplines to facilitate the general public and to avoid any untoward incident.
“General public is advised to exercise utmost caution during the period of weather advisory from 17th to 19th Aug 2025. All the residents living near river Jhelum and local nallahs are urged not to venture into or around water bodies to avoid any activities in their vicinity until the weather improves,” the advisory issued by Pulwama police read.
A similar advisory was issued by Anantnag police.
The MeT has issued a forecast warning of continued rainfall and thunderstorms across the region.
"For August 18–19, the forecast includes light to moderate rain with thunder in most areas, with intense showers and heavy rainfall likely in districts including Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, and Kathua," an MeT official said.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is also expected in Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and some areas of the Kashmir Division, accompanied by gusty winds.
“From August 20–22, the weather is expected to turn hot and humid, though brief thundershowers may occur at isolated locations, with heavy rain possible in Jammu, Kathua, and Samba districts,” the MeT official said.
He said between August 23–25, the region may experience light to moderate rain and thundershowers across many places, with heavy rainfall at isolated locations in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Meanwhile, strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed to all vehicular traffic following landslides and shooting stones triggered by heavy rainfall in multiple locations across Ramban district today.
"The vehicular movement was suspended and commuters were advised not to take journey till the weather improves and the road is clear," officials said, adding that men and machinery were pressed into service to make the road traffic worthy again.