Snow Way Out: Kashmir’s High Passes Shut as Fresh Flakes Blanket the Valley

Image Source: Rising Kashmir

A new spell of moderate snowfall covered the higher reaches of Kashmir on Saturday, April 19, 2025, while the plains were lashed by rain, thunderstorms, and a sharp decline in temperatures. The bad weather has resulted in road blockades, cancellation of classes in affected areas, and advisories from the Meteorological Department for farmers and tourists.

Snowfall in Upper Reaches

New snowfall overnight in Tulail and Gurez (Bandipora district, north Kashmir), Sinthan Top (south Kashmir), Zoji La (Srinagar-Leh National Highway), and Mughal Road (linking Kashmir with Jammu).
Normal life in these hilly areas has been disrupted by moderate snowfall.

Road Closures and Traffic Disruptions

Gurez-Bandipora road, an important connectivity for remote border regions, shut due to snow.
Zoji La and Mughal Road, inter-regional connectivity points, also closed for traffic.
Sinthan Top (NH-244, Anantnag-Kishtwar) closed for two days at least.

School Suspensions

Up to 8th standard classes suspended in Tulail and up to 5th standard in Gurez Tehsil as a precaution.
The decision is to keep the schoolchildren safe in the midst of continuous adverse weather.

Rain and Thunderstorms in Plains

Widespread rain pounded most of the valley, including Srinagar, lowering temperatures.
Overnight thunderstorms and gusty winds were reported, with some regions seeing hail that destroyed orchard crops.

Weather Forecast and Warnings

The Meteorological Department forecasts continued light to moderate rain or snow at most places, with heavy precipitation likely in isolated areas through Sunday evening.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms likely to last through Monday.
Farmers to halt operations over the weekend for fear of landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones in susceptible places.

Impact and Advisory

Travel and Safety

Travelers should also avoid driving through mountain passes and keep informed about traffic updates due to persistent closures and the risk of landslides.
People living in affected areas need to exercise care and adhere to official directives.

Agriculture

Farmers are cautioned against undertaking agricultural operations temporarily to avert losses caused by inclement weather and potential landslides.

Sources: Economic Times, Kashmir Observer, The Week, News24, News18, The INS