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Early Snowfall Closes Major Kashmir Routes as Temperatures Plunge

Travel disruptions began easing as officials reopened the JammuSrinagar highway for stranded traffic.

Overview

  • Fresh snow on a second day blanketed higher reaches and resorts including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Kokernag, while the plains saw widespread rain.
  • The JammuSrinagar highway, SrinagarLeh via Zojila, the Mughal Road and Sinthan Pass were shut by snowfall, landslides and shooting stones, though NH‑44 was cleared to move stranded vehicles and several other roads remained closed.
  • Temperatures tumbled with Srinagar’s maximum at 12.5°C, Gulmarg at −0.4°C and Zojila at −8.0°C, as Himachal’s Lahaul–Spiti logged heavy snow totals such as Gondla 26.5 cm and Keylong 20 cm.
  • Rescue teams evacuated at least 33 nomads trapped by snow in Bhaderwah and Banihal, officials reported livestock losses, and the Vaishno Devi and Machail Mata pilgrimages stayed suspended as schools shut across the Jammu division.
  • Meteorological offices forecast improving, largely dry conditions from Oct. 9–10, horticulture officials began surveys for harvest‑stage apple damage, and hoteliers in Gulmarg reported renewed booking inquiries.