The ski resort, which received fresh snowfall on Sunday afternoon, continued to draw snow enthusiasts as conditions improved for skiing.

A brief spell of light snowfall was also witnessed at Sonamarg at around 9 pm, but it didn’t accumulate. Temperatures across the region remained below freezing, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing cold spell.

While night temperatures tumbled to minus 8.8 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg, followed by Shopian at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam at minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius.

Budgam dipped to minus 3.5 degrees Celsius and Awantipora to minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.

Pulwama recorded a minimum of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, Anantnag minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, and Pampore minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, while north Kashmir areas Kupwara and Baramulla recorded minus 1.8 degrees Celsius and minus 0.7 degrees Celsius.

Stakeholders said snow-related activities in Gulmarg have resumed following recent snowfall.

Director of the Gulmarg Adventure Academy, Azhar Fayaz Lone, said snow biking, ATV rides and snow sledge rides had become functional after fresh snowfall in the resort.

“Basic ski and snowboard courses have also been launched,” he said.

Lone said that the Kangdoori area received about 1.5 feet of snow on Monday.

“The snowfall has led to a rise in tourist arrivals, with a steady rush of visitors since Christmas,” he said.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, conditions on Tuesday are expected to remain mostly cloudy, with chances of light snow at isolated higher elevations in north and central Kashmir.

From January 7 to January 15, the weather is likely to be partly cloudy, with no major weather system forecast during the period, allowing tourist and outdoor activities to continue, the officials said.

The prolonged cold has pushed up demand for heating and electricity across the Valley, while officials said the sub-zero temperatures were also helping sustain snow cover at tourist destinations and higher reaches.

M M Parvaiz reports from Ramban

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way traffic on Monday.

Traffic authorities said that, subject to fair weather and satisfactory road conditions, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles would continue to be allowed from both directions on Tuesday.

Officials said that LMVs and heavy vehicles were permitted to move throughout the day in both directions.

However, traffic movement remained slow at several locations due to single-lane stretches and vehicle breakdowns.

Traffic congestion was reported at Balinalla, Dewal, Nashri-Dalwas, and along the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch.

Engineers of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said that road repair and construction work is underway at several locations between Udhampur-Ramban and Ramban-Banihal sectors.

Authorities have advised travellers to check the latest traffic updates from Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Srinagar, Ramban, and Jammu, and follow official advisories issued through the social media platforms of the J&K Traffic Police before commencing their journey.

Passengers were urged to prefer daytime travel and avoid night journeys, especially on vulnerable stretches of the highway.

Officials cautioned that the movement of heavy vehicles between the Nashri and Navyug tunnels during night hours could cause inconvenience and lead to further congestion.

Drivers were also advised to maintain lane discipline, as overtaking and wrong-lane driving could trigger traffic jams and pose serious safety risks.

Meanwhile, the Kishtwar-Sinthan Top-Anantnag National Highway remained closed due to the accumulation of snow along the route.

Authorities said that restoration work would begin once weather conditions improve in the area.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), National Highway, Ramban, Raja Adil Hamid told Greater Kashmir that Dense Bitumen Macadam (DBM) work and traffic regulation were being carried out simultaneously at Digdool.

Sumit Bhargav reports from Rajouri

The Mughal Road was once again closed for traffic just a day after it was restored for the movement of vehicles.

Earlier, the road connecting Rajouri and Poonch districts of Pir Panjal region with Shopian district of Kashmir got closed for traffic on Thursday and was restored on Sunday morning, with authorities notifying a time slot of 4 hours for the movement of vehicles.

However, on Monday afternoon, the road again got closed.

SSP Traffic, Jammu Rural, Farooq Qaiser said that in view of fresh snowfall at Pir Ki Gali, all kinds of traffic on the Mughal Road are hereby stopped with immediate effect.

“The restriction will remain in force till further notice,” he said.

The post Chillai Kalan tightens grip on Kashmir appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Fresh snowfall was reported from Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, and Tangmarg areas.

Earlier, officials at the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s Srinagar centre had said Jammu and Kashmir was expected to remain largely dry from January 3 to 5, while January 6 could see cloudy conditions with a possibility of light snowfall over isolated higher reaches of north and central Kashmir.

From January 7 to 15, the weather was forecast to remain partly cloudy.

Residents said the snowfall ran counter to those projections.

“They had largely spoken about dry weather until January 15,” said Muhammad Amir, a resident.

However, an IMD official said that rain and snowfall had been predicted at isolated places for the next 24 hours in the department’s daily weather bulletin issued on Sunday morning.

“We had forecast rain and snowfall in the short-term outlook,” the official said.

Manager at Hotel Grand Mumtaz in Gulmarg, Sharif Ahmad Dar, told Greater Kashmir that snowfall began in the area around 1 pm and continued intermittently through the afternoon.

By 6 pm, the ski destination had received nearly 2 inches of fresh snow.

The hoteliers said that despite the snowfall and bone-chilling temperatures, the tourist destination remained lively, with visitors stepping out to enjoy the fresh snow and winter scenery, while hotels reported steady occupancy and heightened interest from tourists eager for snow-related activities.

Minimum temperatures across Kashmir dipped further on Sunday, with Srinagar recording minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, down from minus 1.5 degrees Celsius a day earlier, reflecting an intensification of the cold wave.

Several parts of Kashmir saw a sharper overnight fall, including Qazigund at minus 4 degrees Celsius compared with minus 2.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, and Anantnag, which slipped to minus 4.6 degrees Celsius from minus 3 degrees Celsius.

Shopian and Gulmarg remained among the coldest places, recording minus 6 degrees Celsius and minus 6.5 degrees Celsius while Pulwama dropped to minus 5.1 degrees Celsius from minus 3.9 degrees Celsius.

The temperature at Srinagar Airport also declined to minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, compared to minus 2 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Most other districts, including Baramulla, Budgam, and Kupwara, reported lower minimums than on Saturday, underlining the persistence of severe cold across Kashmir.

The post Snowfall in higher reaches appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Clear night skies contributed to a further drop in minimum temperatures, while the prolonged cold continued to affect daily routines and increase demand for heating devices across the Valley.

Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, while nearby areas – Pampore recorded minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, Ganderbal minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, and Budgam minus 2 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund registered a minimum of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, Awantipora minus 2.4 degrees Celsius, and Anantnag shivered at minus 3 degrees Celsius, IMD officials said.

According to the officials, colder conditions prevailed in south Kashmir with Pulwama at minus 3.9 degrees Celsius and Shopian at minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, while tourist destination Pahalgam recorded minus 5.2 degrees Celsius.

In north Kashmir, Kupwara saw a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, Baramulla minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, and Bandipora minus 0.2 degrees Celsius.

The tourist resort of Gulmarg was the coldest station at minus 6.5 degrees Celsius.

As temperatures dropped further during the ongoing cold spell, demand for heating appliances, including electric heaters, blowers, and electric blankets, has risen sharply across Kashmir, traders said.

“Sales have picked up significantly over the past week as people prepare for prolonged freezing nights,” said Muhammad Shafi, a local electrical goods dealer in Srinagar. “Portable heaters and blowers were in particularly high demand.”

In both urban and rural areas, residents have also made traditional hammams fully functional, while electric hammams are being widely used to maintain indoor warmth.

“We rely on the hammams throughout Chillai Kalan because it keeps the house warm for long hours,” said Altaf Ahmad of Anantnag’s S K Colony.

However, the use of the traditional Kangri, a firepot woven in wicker, has declined in urban areas due to safety concerns and the availability of electric heating, though it continues to be commonly used in rural households, especially during early mornings and evenings.

“Electric hammams are easy to use, but due to a shortage of electricity, people here use mostly traditional hammams and kangris,” said Ghulam Muhammad of Shopian’s Kellar block.

Many residents said that the biting cold has restricted the movement of people.

“People largely choose to stay indoors due to icy winds,” residents from different parts of Kashmir said.

Meteorological Department officials said the cold spell is expected to continue in the days ahead, with low temperatures likely to prevail across Kashmir as the weather will remain largely dry till January 5.

The post Kashmir shivers under crystal sky appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

However, Kashmir experienced a sharp dip in temperatures on Thursday night, with several towns recording lower-than-usual minimums under clear skies.

Srinagar’s minimum temperature fell to 0.1 degrees Celsius, dropping from 2.2 degrees Celsius recorded the previous night, the Meteorological Department officials said.

Gulmarg remained the coldest area in the region, with the mercury plunging to minus 7 degrees Celsius, about 1.5 degrees Celsius lower than the previous night, the officials said.

Temperatures in Pahalgam dropped to minus 6.2 degrees Celsius, a significant fall from minus 0.4 degrees Celsius the previous night.

Qazigund, the entry point to Kashmir, recorded minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag’s mercury settled at minus 0.5 degrees Celsius.

In north Kashmir, Kupwara experienced a minimum of 0.8 degrees Celsius.

The high-altitude areas of the Valley, including Snoamarg, Gulmarg, Chandanwari in Pahalgam, Sadhna Top, Razdan Top, Zojila, and Peer Ki Gali along the heritage Mughal Road, experienced low to moderate snowfall over the past 48 hours.

“Night temperatures dipped again as skies cleared, even as daytime conditions turned relatively warmer with sunshine breaking through after days of cloud cover,” said Sajad Ahmad Dar of Srinagar’s Lal Bazaar area.

Despite cold conditions, tourists were seen enjoying the New Year breaks in Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

“We are so happy to see such majestic snow-capped mountains for the first time,” said Sishir Kumar, a tourist from Uttar Pradesh.

Bundled up in several layers of clothing, Kumar said that despite the extreme winter chill, they were enjoying their trip.

According to IMD officials, weather conditions across J&K are expected to remain largely dry over the next two weeks.

The weather is expected to remain dry from January 2 to 5, while January 6 may see generally cloudy conditions with a chance of light snowfall over isolated higher reaches of north and central Kashmir.

From January 7 to 15, conditions are expected to be partly cloudy, with no major Western Disturbances forecast to impact the region until around January 20, except for a few weak systems.

The post KASHMIR’S WINTER PARADOX: Days bright, nights bone-chilling appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said snow began late Wednesday in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg, continuing intermittently into Thursday morning.

Several other high-altitude areas, including Tulail Valley in Gurez, Razdan Top in Bandipora, Macchil and Sadhna Top in Kupwara, and Zojila Pass, reported fresh snowfall, the IMD officials said.

They said Sonamarg recorded 8-10 inches of snow, Gulmarg 3-4 inches, and Chandanwari in Pahalgam around 2-3 inches.

Sadhna Top and Razdan Top recorded around 2 feet of snow each, while Gurez Valley and the Zojila Pass received about one foot.

Peer Ki Gali mountain pass along the heritage Mughal Road received 2 to 4 inches of snow, prompting the authorities to shut the road.

“The road has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure,” an official from Shopian said.

Following the fresh snowfall, tourists from different parts of the country streamed into the resort towns of Gulmarg and Pahalgam to celebrate the New Year.

“We made the right choice by picking Kashmir over other destinations for our New Year break. We feel like we are on cloud nine,” said a couple from Mumbai, who celebrated the New Year in Gulmarg.

Tourists in Pahalgam echoed similar excitement, as the resort town showed signs of revival nearly eight months after it was jolted by a massive terror attack.

“We are delighted to see the snow-capped mountains, even in the freezing cold,” said Rahul Gupta, a tourist from Delhi.

Srinagar logged a minimum of 2.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday night, around 4.6 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, officials said.

Gulmarg was the coldest spot, with temperatures dropping to minus 5.5 degrees Celsius, about 2.5 degrees Celsius lower than the previous night.

In south Kashmir, Pahalgam recorded minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, which is 6.3 degrees Celsius above normal, while Qazigund, the gateway to the Valley, registered 2 degrees Celsius, roughly five degrees above the usual level.

FORECAST

Weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir are expected to remain largely calm over the next two weeks, forecasters said.

January 1 is likely to be generally cloudy, with light rain or snowfall over higher reaches at scattered locations in the Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

The weather is expected to remain dry from January 2 to 5, while January 6 may see generally cloudy conditions with a chance of light snowfall over isolated higher reaches of north and central Kashmir.

From January 7 to 15, conditions are expected to be partly cloudy, with no major Western Disturbances forecast to impact the region until around January 20, except for a few weak systems.

The post Snowfall spurs New Year tourism rush in Kashmir appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

According to police data, a total of 72 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered under narcotics laws across multiple police stations during the year. The cases resulted in the arrest of 84 individuals accused of trafficking or peddling drugs, with officers describing the campaign as part of a “zero-tolerance policy” aimed at curbing addiction and criminal networks.

Officials said 10 repeat offenders were booked under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act, which permits detention without trial in certain circumstances. Police said the use of the law was intended to “disrupt the operational circles” of major traffickers who have repeatedly evaded prosecution.

More than 317 kg of narcotics were seized during the crackdown, including charas, cannabis, poppy straw and heroin, police said. Authorities also recovered 24,700 ml of codeine-based cough syrups and nearly 200 tablets of Alprazolam and Anxit, which officers said were being circulated illegally. The overall recovery, police estimate, is worth “several crores of rupees” on the black market.

In what officials described as a financial setback to trafficking networks, four residential properties worth around Rs 1 crore were seized after investigators said they were purchased using proceeds from drug sales. Police also reported the destruction of 716 kg of contraband and 23,700 ml of banned syrup bottles linked to 58 earlier NDPS cases at a designated disposal facility in Lassipora.

Additionally, security teams destroyed wild cannabis cultivated across nearly 100 kanals of state land,saying the effort was part of attempts to prevent local sourcing of raw material used in processing.

Senior officers said community cooperation has become central to enforcement efforts, adding that actionable information provided by residents has helped identify supply routes and repeat offenders.

Police urged parents, schools and civil society groups to be “active stakeholders” in reducing local demand and preventing first-time users from entering the drug chain.

Shopian Police said the campaign will continue into 2026 with a focus on both enforcement and preventive strategies, including surveillance, education programmes and financial scrutiny of suspected networks. “Our objective is to ensure Shopian remains safe, secure and drug-free,” a senior official said.

The post Biggest crackdown yet: Shopian Police hit drug network with major 2025 seizures appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The Meteorological Department (MeT) on Wednesday forecast light to moderate precipitation over most areas in the next 24 hours, officials said.

The upper regions, including Gulmarg, Sadhna Top, and Tulail Valley, experienced light to moderate snowfall, while the rest of the areas remained largely cloudy.

According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, most areas were expected to receive light to moderate rain or snow on Wednesday night.

“The higher and far upper reaches of north and central Kashmir are likely to receive moderate to heavy snowfall,” the officials said.

However, they said that from January 2, the Valley is expected to experience partly to generally cloudy weather, with isolated light rain or snow in some areas.

“Partly cloudy weather is forecast from January 3 to 5 and January 7 to 8, while isolated higher-altitude regions may receive light snow on January 6, officials said,” the officials said.

Kashmir continues to reel under Chillai Kalan, the coldest phase of winter, though minimum temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday remained above normal at many places, aided by cloud cover, officials said. Srinagar recorded a low of 2.3 degrees Celsius on December 31, up from 1 degree Celsius a day earlier, while temperatures were slightly above freezing in Qazigund at 1.4 degrees Celsius, Anantnag 0.7 degrees Celsius, Baramulla 2.8 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 1.8 degrees Celsius, and Bandipora 2.6 degrees Celsius.

However, sub-zero conditions persisted in the higher reaches, with Gulmarg at minus 3 degrees Celsius, Shopian at minus 1.1 degrees Celsius, and Pulwama at minus 0.2 degrees Celsius on December 31. Meteorologists said fresh snowfall in upper reaches and widespread cloudiness elsewhere prevented a sharper drop in night temperatures, even as icy conditions continued in isolated pockets across the region. Tourism and winter sports in high-altitude destinations like Gulmarg are expected to benefit from the fresh snowfall, with authorities advising visitors to exercise caution while travelling on snow-covered roads.

Local administration has deployed snow-clearing teams and alerted disaster management authorities to ensure smooth movement and safety, particularly on routes connecting remote tourist destinations like Gulmarg.

The post Fresh snow paints Kashmir’s high reaches in white appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The event, held in an open public space despite the cold, focused on issues of unemployment, drug abuse, and economic stagnation in the region. Addressing the gathering, Kullay said the youth of Shopian need “handholding and direction”, stressing that empowering young people is at the core of his political agenda. “Youth empowerment is my goal. I have realised that unemployment is one of the biggest concerns here, and without addressing it, progress will remain incomplete,” he said.

Kullay said that the development of the Mughal Road—an alternative road link connecting Shopian with Rajouri and Poonch—could serve as a major economic lifeline for local residents, boosting trade, tourism and employment. He alleged that successive governments had neglected Shopian, leaving the district trailing behind on development front. “Shopian is lagging behind because previous regimes ignored us. A discriminatory approach was adopted for years, and our youth paid the price,” he said.

He urged young people not to succumb to fear, exploitation or political manipulation. Without naming anyone, he alleged that certain individuals were “trying to blackmail and mislead” the youth. “Do not be afraid. Do not give anyone money for jobs. No one should exploit you for their benefit,” he said.

Calling drug addiction a growing danger, Kullay appealed to families and community elders to help keep young people away from substance abuse and work collectively to build a healthier environment. “Our future depends on our youth. If they fall, we all fall,” he added. Kullay said that over the past year, he secured approval for several development projects, including a state-of-the-art pesticide laboratory, the construction of a marriage hall, an AYUSH hospital, and the installation of street lights, among other works.

The post MLA Shabir Kullay holds first youth convention in Shopian appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

A weak Western Disturbance affected Jammu and Kashmir, bringing rain and snow to parts of north Kashmir. Upper reaches, including Gulmarg, Sadhna Top, Machil, Tulail, and Gurez, received light to moderate snowfall, officials said.

Amidst a fresh spell of snowfall, Gulmarg saw a surge of tourists eager to enjoy the fresh snow and celebrate the New Year.

Visitors described the resort’s snow-covered slopes and pine-clad landscapes as surreal.

“It was a heavenly feeling to be here,” said a tourist from Delhi, enjoying the snow-covered slopes of Gulmarg.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had said the weather on Tuesday would remain mostly cloudy, with chances of light rain or snow in several areas by evening.

However, between December 31 and January 1, light precipitation is expected across most places, while moderate snowfall is forecast in some higher-altitude parts of north and central Kashmir.

Snowfall is likely to be heavier along the Zojila-Drass corridor and the Siachen region, with light to moderate snow also expected in parts of Kargil, Zanskar, and the higher elevations of Leh district.

Authorities suspended traffic on several key routes, including the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, Sinthan Pass in Anantnag, Margan Pass linking Kashmir with Kishtwar in Chenab Valley, and the Mughal Road connecting south Kashmir’s Shopian district with Rajouri and Poonch districts of Pir Panjal region.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Gulmarg also issued a traffic advisory for the Tangmarg-Gulmarg road, warning of slippery and hazardous conditions due to the snowfall forecast.

The officials said that the measures aim to protect public safety and ensure smooth traffic flow amid adverse weather.

According to the advisory, all vehicles plying on the Tangmarg-Gulmarg stretch are required to use anti-skid chains during snowfall and icy conditions.

The order also imposes a complete ban on heavy vehicles on the road until further notice.

On Tuesday, temperatures across Kashmir hovered near the freezing point, with several locations recording sub-zero minimums.

Gulmarg was the coldest at minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Pahalgam at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, and Pulwama at minus 1.1 degrees Celsius.

Srinagar recorded 1 degree Celsius, while the Srinagar Airport logged 0.8 degrees Celsius.

Other areas reported near-freezing conditions, including Qazigund 1.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 1.8 degrees Celsius, Ganderbal 1.8 degrees Celsius, Bandipora  1.1 degrees Celsius, Budgam 1.2 degrees Celsius, Baramulla 2.1 degrees Celsius, Kupwara 2 degrees Celsius, Pampore 2 degrees Celsius, Anantnag 0.8 degrees Celsius, Shopian 0.2 degrees Celsius, Awantipora 1 degree Celsius, and Sonamarg 0.4 degrees Celsius.

Tourism stakeholders said hotel bookings in Gulmarg surged ahead of the New Year, with many properties nearing full occupancy as visitors flock to enjoy the snow.

The post Gulmarg Glitters appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Viral videos circulating on social media show elderly farmers weeping as they stand beside newly planted poles, fearing the project will swallow their orchards—the only source of their livelihood.

The proposed alignment will slice through fertile farms across more than 30 villages between Kakapora in Pulwama and Shopian, an area known for its high-density apple orchards that feed thousands of families. Fresh land marking has begun over the past few weeks, with railway teams installing 2.5-foot iron poles across agricultural fields, signalling the start of acquisition.

“These orchards are not just land; they are generations of labour,” said Nazir Ahmad, an orchardist from Shopian, in a video widely shared online. “If the railway track cuts through my farm, it will take away my small patch of land. I will be left with nothing.”

Farmers are demanding that the railway line be laid through barren land instead of productive orchards.

Farooq Ahmad, a farmer from Kunus village, about 7 km from Shopian town, said around nine kanals of his land have been demarcated for the railway project. “We live off the land. We have no other source of income,” he said.

Ahmad questioned whether the railway would actually reduce travel time or distance. “The government must conduct a fresh survey to explore alternative routes that spare our orchards,” he said.

Many farmers, including women and elderly villagers, have started gathering around fields during demarcation work, hoping to stop survey teams.

“What will we eat if our land goes? How will we survive? We are not against development, but it cannot come by destroying our lives,” said a woman whose family orchard lies in the alignment zone. “Let them show us an alternative that doesn’t destroy our livelihoods.”

For now, the poles stand like scars across the orchards—silent markers of a future the farmers never asked for, and a battle they fear they cannot afford to lose.

The post ‘We Live Off This Land’: Shopian, Pulwama farmers oppose rail line through orchards appeared first on Greater Kashmir.