Watch | Parts of Jammu and Kashmir blanketed in snow; Srinagar-Leh highway closed for traffic

The India Meteorological Department predicts fairly widespread to widespread snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand until February 22. Additionally, heavy rainfall is expected over Jammu and Kashmir from February 18 to February 19, with a possibility of hailstorms over the Jammu division on Sunday.

The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority has issued a “low danger level” avalanche warning for Bandipore, Baramulla, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, and Ramban districts on Saturday. Inhabitants of these areas are urged to be cautious and advised to avoid venturing into avalanche-prone areas.

In response to the snowfall alert, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri told ANI, “We were eagerly waiting for snowfall… In the last spell, the administration worked well… This time it’s a three-day alert.”

“Since the Public Works Department has been restructured, everything is decentralised now, and hence our strength has also increased… Now we clean the roads as soon as the snowfall stops. A record number of tourists are coming… Preparations are almost complete for the Khelo India games which are going to be held in Gulmarg,” DC Bidhuri added.

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