Intense snowstorm batters Kashmir, up to five feet snowfall recorded in higher reaches, Snowline plunges below 1000 metres as rare snowfall hits Karnah Valley

Srinagar, Jan 23, KNT: An intense and short-lived snowstorm swept across large parts of Kashmir, dumping exceptionally heavy snowfall within a compressed 15-hour window and turning the episode into one of the most aggressive winter events of the season, weather observers said.

Areas located closer to the Pir Panjal range bore the brunt of the storm. Plains of Shopian district recorded snowfall ranging between one and a half to three feet, while higher reaches of the district witnessed extraordinary accumulation of up to five feet, an unusually high amount for such a brief duration.

The impact of the snowstorm extended well beyond Shopian. Parts of Budgam, Pulwama, Kulgam, Kupwara and Baramulla districts were also affected by the intense spell. In higher elevations across these districts, snow accumulation ranged between two and five feet, all recorded within the same short time span, significantly disrupting normal life and connectivity.

In a rare meteorological event, the snowline dropped below 1000 metres in the Karnah Valley of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Unusual snowfall was recorded in the Seemari–Teetwal belt, an area that rarely witnesses snow even during peak winters due to its relatively warmer surroundings. This time, snow accumulation crossed two inches, making it the first such occurrence after 2005. Even a one-inch snowfall in this belt is considered rare by locals and weather observers.

The rarity of the event as reported by ‘Kashmir Weather’ was further underscored as snowfall was also reported in Muzaffarabad, located at an elevation of around 740 metres, after nearly a decade, highlighting the intensity and reach of the cold air mass associated with the storm.

The sudden and heavy snowfall disrupted road connectivity, power supply and transport services across several areas, while authorities advised caution in snow-bound and vulnerable regions. Weather experts said the combination of rapid accumulation and a sharp drop in snowline makes the event one of the most notable winter spells of the current season. [KNT]