Fresh Snowfall, Heavy Rain Alerts in Kashmir: IMD Warnings
May — In Kashmir, the weather often speaks before the people do. And today, it’s shouting. Fresh snowfall has coated the high mountains, rain is sweeping through the valleys, and the whole region is under warning.
What felt like summer just days ago now looks and feels like something else entirely.
A June Morning Wrapped in Snow
Up in Razdan Top, Gurez, and Zojila, the snow came quietly overnight. Drivers woke to blocked roads, slippery turns, and skies thick with grey.
“I haven’t seen snow this late in years,” said Irfan Dar, a local transport worker from Bandipora. “We usually carry apples this time of year — not chains for tyres.”
It wasn’t just snow. The chill was sharp. Daytime temperatures dropped 4–5°C below normal. And the night? Cold enough to need blankets again.
IMD Sounds the Alarm
The India Meteorological Department didn’t waste time. An orange alert was issued for seven districts: Bandipora, Rajouri, Anantnag, Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwar, and Muzaffarabad.
This isn’t a gentle forecast. The orange alert means possible landslides, flooding, or road blockages. Especially in hill zones where loose soil and rain never mix well.
“We’re telling people — don’t travel unless you have to,” a weather officer in Srinagar said. “And keep an emergency kit ready.”
Wider Yellow Alert – Rain Building Elsewhere
Alongside the more serious warning, a yellow alert is now covering Srinagar, Kupwara, Pulwama, Shopian, Jammu, Poonch, and other districts.
Rain here is expected to be on and off, moderate, but steady enough to cause problems on roads and in low-lying areas.
In Srinagar city, rain has already slowed traffic. People are carrying umbrellas again, and local tea shops are crowded — not just for warmth, but for weather gossip.
Landslide Watch: Highway Trouble Ahead
One major worry remains: the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway. Independent weather tracker Faizan Arif issued a warning about the risk of rockfalls and landslides, especially if the rains intensify.
“We’ve seen this before,” he said in a local update. “A short burst of rain can shut down the whole route. Travelers need to stay updated.”
Locals Stock Up — Just in Case
In areas like Kulgam, Shopian, and parts of Poonch, residents are already preparing. Markets were busier than usual on Saturday morning. People bought rice, oil, and candles.
“It always starts like this — light rain, then boom — no roads, no power,” said Rafiqa Begum, who lives near Tral. “I’ve packed food for four days. It’s safer.”
The Bigger Picture
Weather in Kashmir has always been dramatic. But snow in June, landslide alerts, and unpredictable patterns? That’s not tradition — that’s a shift.
Right now, all anyone can do is watch the skies, listen to the radio, and hope the storm moves fast — and leaves quietly.
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