The Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir experienced the season’s first snowfall on Thursday, blanketing the Trikuta Hills in white and turning the pilgrimage route into a scenic winter view. On Friday morning, the scenic Bhaderwah Valley also received its first snowfall after a long wait, with roads and streets covered in snow, enhancing the town’s beauty. As temperatures dropped sharply, residents took precautionary measures.

Authorities, including Bhaderwah Police and the district administration, issued helpline numbers and urged people to remain cautious, particularly while travelling to higher altitudes. The hill resort town of Batote in Jammu district also witnessed heavy snowfall. Other popular hill destinations in the Jammu region, such as Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar, and Batote, recorded their first snowfall of the season, bringing relief after a prolonged dry spell and boosting morale among those dependent on tourism.

Residents in these areas woke up to snow-covered surroundings, just as meteorologists had predicted. Rain began around midnight across the Jammu region, gradually intensifying and turning into snowfall in higher reaches. This precipitation is expected to replenish hydel project reservoirs, improve power generation, recharge groundwater levels, revive springs and wells, and benefit fruit and vegetable cultivation. It is also likely to help reduce air pollution by settling dust particles.

The snowfall is expected to attract tourists, especially pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine, helping revive tourism that had declined following recent security incidents and weather-related disasters. The increased tourist flow may partially offset losses faced by hoteliers and provide livelihoods to vendors and small traders. However, due to slippery road conditions caused by rain and snow, traffic on National Highway 44 has been halted at safe locations as a precautionary measure, according to traffic police officials.