Winter conditions intensified sharply across North India on Friday as heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir combined with widespread rainfall in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, bringing down temperatures and disrupting normal life in several areas.
The sudden change in weather ended a prolonged dry spell and marked one of the most impactful winter systems of the season so far.
Srinagar Airport Shut as Heavy Snow Disrupts Air Traffic
All Flights Cancelled in Kashmir Valley
Flight operations at Srinagar airport were suspended for the entire day after continuous snowfall led to heavy snow accumulation on runways and operational areas.
Airport officials said the decision was taken purely in the interest of passenger safety, citing adverse weather conditions and poor visibility along flight routes. Air traffic to and from Kashmir remained halted as snowfall continued across the region.
First Widespread Snowfall of the Season in Himachal Pradesh
Upper Reaches Blanketed, Roads Closed
Himachal Pradesh experienced its first widespread snowfall after nearly four months of dry weather, offering a dramatic shift in winter conditions.
Snowfall was reported in higher areas of Shimla district, including Chopal, Rampur, Narkanda, Khadapathar and Kufri. Tourist destinations such as Manali, Chail and Dagshai also witnessed light snowfall, while lower regions received steady rain.
Road connectivity in Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts suffered major disruptions. Key routes like the Manali–Leh highway, Darcha–Shinkula road, and Tandi–Kadu Nala stretch were closed due to heavy snow, affecting vehicular movement.
Temperatures Drop Sharply in Dharamsala Region
Triund Trek Covered in Snow
Tourist hotspots around Dharamsala, including McLeodganj, Naddi, Dharamkot and Bhagsunag, recorded near-freezing minimum temperatures. The popular Triund trekking trail was covered in fresh snow, drawing attention from adventure enthusiasts.
Strong winds overnight disrupted electricity supply in some areas, though power was restored by Friday morning.
Rain Brings Relief to Farmers, Hope to Tourism Sector
Wheat Growers Welcome Weather Shift
The rainfall brought much-needed relief to Punjab and Haryana farmers, particularly wheat growers who had been worried due to a prolonged dry winter.
Tourism stakeholders in Himachal also expressed optimism, expecting fresh snowfall to revive tourist footfall.
“Hotel occupancy in Dharamsala and nearby areas had fallen to nearly 10 per cent. We expect bookings to improve following the snowfall,” said Sanjeev Gandhi, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association.
Rainfall Recorded Across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh
Temperatures Slide Further
Several districts in Punjab and Haryana, including their joint capital Chandigarh, witnessed rain from late Thursday night into Friday morning.
Rainfall in Punjab:
- Amritsar
- Ludhiana
- Patiala
- Pathankot
- Bathinda
- Faridkot
- Gurdaspur
- Mansa
- Rupnagar
Chandigarh recorded heavy rain, with the minimum temperature dropping to 10.9°C.
Rainfall in Haryana:
- Ambala
- Hisar
- Karnal
- Narnaul
- Rohtak
- Bhiwani
- Sirsa
- Sonipat
Minimum temperatures hovered between 12°C and 13.5°C across most districts.
Delhi Sees First Rain of the Year
Pollution Levels Dip Briefly
Delhi experienced its first rainfall of the year, ending a long stretch of dry winter weather. Rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds brought temporary relief from high pollution levels and lowered temperatures across several parts of the capital.
Western Disturbance Behind Weather Shift
According to the Meteorological Department, the widespread rain and snowfall were triggered by the season’s first intense western disturbance, which impacted large parts of North India.
Weather officials have indicated that cold conditions are likely to persist in the coming days, especially in hilly regions.