Snowfall and Rain Bring Relief to Kashmir Amid Heatwave Conditions In the early hours of Thursday, May 21, 2026, parts of the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall, while the plains were hit by heavy rain, leading to a drop in temperatures. Officials reported that the Gurez sector in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, Zojilla Pass on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, and areas like Sonamarg were blanketed in snow. Several other peaks in the valley also received snow, transforming them into white-covered landscapes. Meanwhile, the plains, including the summer capital of Srinagar, faced intermittent rainfall that disrupted daily activities. The weather conditions marked a shift from the prolonged heatwave that had gripped the region. Officials noted that the heavy rainfall, which began late on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, caused significant damage. A road in Bandipora district was severely affected, with water and mud seeping into nearby homes. The downpours also triggered waterlogging and mudflows, further complicating movement in the area. The sudden change in weather provided temporary relief from the sweltering temperatures that had plagued Kashmir for weeks. The Meteorological Department issued a forecast indicating that the region could experience light rain and thundershowers, accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorms, over the next two days. The weather was expected to remain generally dry during the forenoon hours, with brief showers likely to occur in the late afternoon at isolated and scattered locations until May 25. This forecast suggested that the region would continue to see fluctuating weather patterns, with the potential for further disruptions.#srinagar #meteorological_department #jammu_and_kashmir #bandipora_district #zojilla_pass
