Overview
- Higher reaches including Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Gurez, Zojila and Sadhna Pass saw light to moderate snowfall on January 16–17, strengthening the snowpack at elevation.
- Tourist inflows to Sonamarg led to traffic snarls and stranded vehicles, with police and CRPF teams assisting motorists during the ongoing snowfall.
- Dense fog in the Jammu region delayed five flights and at least seven trains on Friday, though no cancellations were reported, according to airport and railway officials.
- The Meteorological Department projects light to moderate rain and snow across Jammu & Kashmir from January 21–24, with a chance of moderate to heavy precipitation in parts of the Chenab Valley, Udhampur, Reasi and south Kashmir on January 23–24.
- Plains across the Valley, including Srinagar, have remained largely dry during Chillai‑Kalan, contributing to a precipitation deficit and elevated air quality readings reported this week.