Hill stations like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh received season’s first snowfall on Friday. While it was a pleasant site for tourists and locals, the hardships also began. From vehicular traffic
to public transport, all basic facilities got hampered. All flight operations were cancelled at the Srinagar airport due to heavy snowfall. The air traffic to and fro Kashmir was suspended.
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) a fresh western disturbance is expected to affect northwest India from January 26 and it would cause heavy snowfall in several parts.
Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh | Video
Himachal Pradesh is witnessing heavy snowfall since morning and as per the official update, the weather would remain unstable over the next few days. With the snowfall, tourists have also begun to arrive in Shimla, Manali and other regions of the state.
Snowfall also reached the higher reaches of Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kangra, and the upper areas of Shimla and Kinnaur districts.
VIDEO | Himachal Pradesh: Popular tourist destination Manali receives heavy snowfall, turning the region into a white wonderland.
The local met centre in Shimla has forecast heavy snowfall and rainfall. The Shimla administration has issued an advisory, asking people to not drive… pic.twitter.com/9ygakaxhqj
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 23, 2026
Snowfall In Jammu And Kashmir
Several areas in the Kashmir valley received fresh snowfall. As per the officials, snowfall started in Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on late Thursday evening as a strong western disturbance made an impact in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was closed on Friday due to heavy rain and snowfall, with movement also stopped at Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur. Snowfall also disrupted air travel, with Srinagar Airport cancelling all flights.
The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills also witnessed the first snowfall of the season, forcing the authorities to suspend the yatra. The famous hill resorts of Jammu province-Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar and Batote experienced the season’s first snowfall.
With a long weekend approaching, people are making travel plans to these hill stations. However, IMD has advised the tourists and locals to practice caution.
