Rare Snowfall in Gurez Valley in May; Sudden Drop in Temperatures Creates Winter-like Atmosphere

May 21, 2026

Fresh snowfall occurred on Thursday in the upper reaches of the Gurez Valley in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. This event was triggered by a sudden and sharp drop in temperature. Occurring during the second half of May, this rare snowfall has brought back a winter-like atmosphere to the border region.

Such snowfall is typically never witnessed during the month of May. Consequently, it is being regarded as an extremely unusual and unexpected meteorological phenomenon. A white blanket of snow has settled over the high-altitude and rugged upper regions of the Gurez Valley. Light to moderate snowfall continued intermittently throughout the day on Thursday.

This has caused the entire area to turn suddenly very cold. Residents have had to contend with this abrupt surge in cold weather. Snowfall of this nature in mid-May has left the locals quite astonished. This event serves as a clear indication of the unexpected and significant changes currently taking place in the region’s climate.

Unusual Weather Changes
The month of May is generally considered to mark the onset of warm weather in the valley. However, this time, an unexpected and sharp decline in temperature has been recorded. It was this sudden drop that led to the snowfall in the upper reaches of the Gurez Valley. This shift in weather patterns could have a profound impact on the local environment and ecosystem.

Public Life Disrupted by Torrential Rains in Bandipora
Earlier, continuous torrential rains in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir wreaked havoc. Heavy downpours last night caused severe damage to the Srinagar-Bandipora National Highway near Darul Uloom Raheemiya, bringing traffic to a complete standstill. This incident has created significant difficulties for the local residents.