Watch: Kashmir welcomes season's first snowfall, time to pack your bags and head to the winter wonderland

As winter sets in across North India, higher reaches of Kashmir on Monday received the season's first snowfall. The hinterland of Gurez Valley in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district was adorned with a fresh blanket of snow, ending a month-long dry spell.??

The upper reaches of the valley, including Kilshay Top, Tulail, and nearby villages, also witnessed fresh snowfall on Monday.??

According to some reports, nearly 4 inches of snow was recorded at Sadhna Top on Monday.??

The weather office has forecast dry weather until 15 November, when another weak Western Disturbance is likely to pass over Jammu and Kashmir.??

Following the snowfall, authorities banned the movement of traffic on the Srinagar-Gumri-Kargil road on Tuesday. Mughal Road, connecting Kashmir with the Jammu division, has also been closed for traffic.??

"Welcome snow! J&K witnessed the first snowfall of the season today. Time to pack your bags and head to the winter wonderland," Jammu and Kashmir Tourism said in a social media post.??

Kashmir Valley was in the throes of an unprecedented dry spell for the last four months. The water level in all major and minor water sources had fallen, while in the Jhelum River, the water level had touched an all-time low.??

The snowfall and rain lowered the daytime temperature significantly, signalling the arrival of winter in Kashmir, which is also the busiest tourism season in the valley.??

However, in recent years, especially in 2023, the lack of snowfall, including at some of the most famous skiing spots, has affected the tourism industry in the valley and the livelihood of millions of people there.

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