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Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand Witness Early Snowfall; Temp Drop Sharply

Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand Witness Early Snowfall; Temp Drop Sharply
Season’s first snowfall in Sonamarg, white landscapes, chilly air, and a perfect retreat for winter lovers. Photo credit: @Tourismsonamarg

Fresh snowfall and rain swept across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on Monday (October 6, 2025). The untimely weather brought cheer to tourists at hill stations but caused a sharp drop in temperatures across the three states. The Meteorological Department issued alerts warning of landslides, road blockages, and heavy rain or snow at higher altitudes.

Snowfall was reported in popular tourist destinations, temples, and high mountain passes, while the plains received rain and thunderstorms. Officials linked the activity to an active western disturbance carrying moisture from the Arabian Sea.

Kashmir Sees First Snowfall of Season

The higher reaches of Kashmir received the first snowfall of the season, including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Sinthan Top, Zojila Pass, and Razdan Top. Tourists gathered at Gulmarg’s Kongdoori meadow, where fresh snow in the last 24 hours turned the area into a winter-like setting. Families and groups enjoyed the rare October snowfall.

Rainfall gripped Srinagar and other plains, leading to a steep fall in temperatures. Srinagar recorded a maximum of 11°C, down from 22.6°C a day earlier. Gulmarg was the coldest at 4.4°C, nearly 12 degrees below normal. Weather experts said Kupwara and Bhaderwah experienced “January-like” conditions.

PlaceMax Temp (°C)Deviation from Normal (°C)
Srinagar12.5-13.0
Kupwara10.8-16.0
Qazigund13.5-10.6
Pahalgam9.2-13.2
Kokernag12.1-11.7
Gulmarg4.4-12.1
Jammu21.3-11.1
Banihal11.2-15.3
Bhaderwah10.0-16.1
Katra18.0-11.1

The Meteorological Department issued an orange alert, warning of landslides and shooting stones on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Farmers were asked to suspend fieldwork until Tuesday morning. The forecast suggested heavy snowfall in parts of South Kashmir and Chenab Valley, with conditions likely to improve from Tuesday afternoon.

Snowfall Returns to Himachal Pradesh

Several parts of Himachal Pradesh also witnessed fresh snowfall. Keylong received 4 cm of snow, while Gondla and Hansa recorded 5 cm each. This was the first October snowfall in Keylong in two years.

Rainfall was reported in districts such as Kangra, Mandi, and Kullu. Guler, Nagrota Surian, and Bharwain each recorded 4 cm of rain. Thunderstorms and strong winds were reported in Shimla, Palampur, and Narkanda.

The IMD issued a yellow alert for October 7, warning of heavy rain in Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi, and snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti. Temperatures across the state dipped by 2–5°C, with Keylong recording the lowest minimum at 0.1°C.

Uttarakhand Peaks Turn White

The higher reaches of Uttarakhand, including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Hemkund, Auli, and Munsyari, were covered in snow. The temple premises at Kedarnath and Badrinath turned white, while light snow was reported in Chopta and Tungnath.

The IMD issued an orange alert, forecasting heavy rain and snow above 4,000 metres and intense rain in districts including Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi. A yellow alert for Tuesday predicted heavy rain or snowfall in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, and Rudraprayag.

Officials said the activity was triggered by a western disturbance. Pilgrims and residents were advised to stay cautious as slippery roads and landslides were likely in higher regions.

Fresh snowfall and rain swept across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on Monday (October 6, 2025). The untimely weather brought cheer to tourists at hill stations but caused a sharp drop in temperatures across the three states. The Meteorological Department issued alerts warning of landslides, road blockages, and heavy rain or snow at higher altitudes.

Snowfall was reported in popular tourist destinations, temples, and high mountain passes, while the plains received rain and thunderstorms. Officials linked the activity to an active western disturbance carrying moisture from the Arabian Sea.

Kashmir Sees First Snowfall of Season

The higher reaches of Kashmir received the first snowfall of the season, including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Sinthan Top, Zojila Pass, and Razdan Top. Tourists gathered at Gulmarg’s Kongdoori meadow, where fresh snow in the last 24 hours turned the area into a winter-like setting. Families and groups enjoyed the rare October snowfall.

Rainfall gripped Srinagar and other plains, leading to a steep fall in temperatures. Srinagar recorded a maximum of 11°C, down from 22.6°C a day earlier. Gulmarg was the coldest at 4.4°C, nearly 12 degrees below normal. Weather experts said Kupwara and Bhaderwah experienced “January-like” conditions.

PlaceMax Temp (°C)Deviation from Normal (°C)
Srinagar12.5-13.0
Kupwara10.8-16.0
Qazigund13.5-10.6
Pahalgam9.2-13.2
Kokernag12.1-11.7
Gulmarg4.4-12.1
Jammu21.3-11.1
Banihal11.2-15.3
Bhaderwah10.0-16.1
Katra18.0-11.1

The Meteorological Department issued an orange alert, warning of landslides and shooting stones on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Farmers were asked to suspend fieldwork until Tuesday morning. The forecast suggested heavy snowfall in parts of South Kashmir and Chenab Valley, with conditions likely to improve from Tuesday afternoon.

Snowfall Returns to Himachal Pradesh

Several parts of Himachal Pradesh also witnessed fresh snowfall. Keylong received 4 cm of snow, while Gondla and Hansa recorded 5 cm each. This was the first October snowfall in Keylong in two years.

Rainfall was reported in districts such as Kangra, Mandi, and Kullu. Guler, Nagrota Surian, and Bharwain each recorded 4 cm of rain. Thunderstorms and strong winds were reported in Shimla, Palampur, and Narkanda.

The IMD issued a yellow alert for October 7, warning of heavy rain in Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi, and snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti. Temperatures across the state dipped by 2–5°C, with Keylong recording the lowest minimum at 0.1°C.

Uttarakhand Peaks Turn White

The higher reaches of Uttarakhand, including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Hemkund, Auli, and Munsyari, were covered in snow. The temple premises at Kedarnath and Badrinath turned white, while light snow was reported in Chopta and Tungnath.

The IMD issued an orange alert, forecasting heavy rain and snow above 4,000 metres and intense rain in districts including Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi. A yellow alert for Tuesday predicted heavy rain or snowfall in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, and Rudraprayag.

Officials said the activity was triggered by a western disturbance. Pilgrims and residents were advised to stay cautious as slippery roads and landslides were likely in higher regions.

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