Unseasonal Snow, Rains Disrupt North India

Fresh snowfall blanketed the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir on April 3 and 4, 2026, as a strong western disturbance triggered rains across northern India's plains, officials reported. The unseasonal weather, which persisted into Saturday, brought sharp temperature drops and widespread disruptions in regions including Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Kupwara.

In Jammu and Kashmir, overnight snow accumulated on mountain passes such as Sadhna Top, Mughal Road, Margan Top, Razdan Top, Gurez, and the Sonamarg-Zojila axis, leading authorities to close key interdistrict roads and the Srinagar-Leh national highway at Zojila Pass. Plains areas, including Srinagar, experienced intermittent light to moderate rain, while higher elevations saw up to two feet of snow in some spots. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, NH44, remained shut at multiple points, including Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur and up to Ramsoo, with traffic halted for safety amid slippery conditions and landslide risks. Five traffic accidents occurred due to wet roads, and Srinagar Airport suspended several flights, with IndiGo canceling others.

Himachal Pradesh faced similar...