After a sunny day, Gulmarg, its adjoining areas and other higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall this evening, even as the Kashmir Valley continued to reel under intense cold conditions with minimum temperatures remaining below freezing across the region.
In contrast, Jammu city and its surrounding plain areas, including Samba and Kathua, remained enveloped in dense fog, disrupting air, rail and road traffic. Poor visibility during the morning hours led to delays in flight operations at Jammu Airport. Officials said eight flights—five Indigo, two Air India Express and one Air India—were delayed due to fog. Visibility improved after around 11.30 am, following which flight operations resumed. A total of 30 flights operated from the airport during the day, with no cancellations or diversions reported.
Meanwhile, Gulmarg witnessed light snowfall in the evening, bringing cheer to tourists visiting the ski resort. About three inches of snow had accumulated till late evening, with snowfall continuing intermittently. However, the snowfall also led to traffic disruptions, with thousands of vehicles stranded on the Gulmarg–Tangmarg road due to skidding and traffic jams. Police and administration were engaged in clearing the congestion.
Snowfall was also reported from Tangmarg and Drung areas adjoining Gulmarg, while most other parts of the Valley remained dry during the day. Fresh snowfall was additionally reported from higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range and Seoj Dhar in Doda and Bhaderwah areas.
Tourist inflow remained high in several snowbound destinations. Visitors in Gulmarg and Drung expressed delight over the fresh snowfall, calling it a memorable experience. The tourist resort of Bhaderwah in the Jammu division also saw a large rush after the Border Roads Organisation cleared the Pathankot–Basohli–Bani–Bhaderwah road. Heavy tourist presence was reported at Guldanda and nearby scenic spots.
The Meteorological Department said light snowfall may continue in higher reaches, while plains are likely to remain dry for now.
Despite largely dry weather, cold conditions prevailed across the Union Territory. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 3.2°C and a maximum of 9.6°C. Qazigund recorded minus 4.0°C to 9.0°C, while Pahalgam recorded minus 4.0°C to 4.8°C. Gulmarg was the coldest place, recording a minimum of minus 6.5°C and a maximum of 1.0°C.
In Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 14.2°C and a minimum of 10.0°C. Katra recorded temperatures between 7.0°C and 13.6°C. Bhaderwah recorded minus 1.6°C to 10.5°C, Batote 1.9°C to 12.3°C, and Banihal minus 0.9°C. Other areas including Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri, Udhampur and Reasi also recorded low night temperatures.
Jammu continued to remain under the grip of a cold wave, with fog limiting sunlight for most of the day. Vehicular movement was affected during morning hours, and train services were also impacted. Several trains, including the Vande Bharat and Uttar Sampark Kranti Express, arrived late at Jammu railway station due to fog, though most departures remained largely unaffected.
The region continues to experience harsh winter conditions as the 40-day peak winter period, Chilai Kalan, persists across the Valley.
