Kashmir’s higher reaches receive season’s first snowfall   

The higher reaches of Kashmir received the season’s first snowfall on Friday, with more expected in the coming days, according to the meteorological department.

Affarwat in the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Sinthan Top in Anantnag district in the south were among the places that witnessed snowfall, officials said.

Some places in the plains, including Srinagar city and its adjoining areas, received light rainfall, they said.

The meteorological department said an active western disturbance is most likely to affect Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas from Sunday.

“Under the influence of this system, widespread light to moderate rain/snow (in higher reaches) are expected in J&K from 05^th October to 07^th October, 2025, with peak activity during 05 night to 07^th morning,” it said in an advisory.

The system is most likely to cause moderate to heavy snowfall over higher reaches of Anantnag-Pahalgam, Kulgam, Sinthan Pass, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Sonamarg-Zojila, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, Gulmarg and Kupwara-Sadhna Pass, it said.

Light snowfall over the middle reaches and moderate to heavy rain over the plains of Kashmir is also likely, according to the advisory.