February 27, 2025- Baramulla district woke up to an unexpected sight as the plains, typically spared heavy snow this late in the season, found themselves dusted with an untimely blanket of white. While the upper reaches like Gulmarg, Tangmarg, and Hajibal are no strangers to February flurries, the lower plains—including areas like Dhobiwan and parts near the Baramulla-Uri highway—saw snow that caught residents off guard.
This isn’t the peak of Chilla-i-Kalan, Kashmir’s harshest 40-day winter stretch that ended late January, when heavy snow is the norm. By late February, the plains usually see more rain than snow, making today’s downfall feel out of place. Earlier this month, the region faced a snowfall deficit that had farmers worried about water shortages, but this surprise could be a mixed blessing—potentially boosting water levels while throwing a wrench into daily life. Traffic along the Baramulla-Uri National Highway took a hit, with heavy snow slowing movement, though the R&B Department worked quickly to restore access, earning a nod from MLA Uri Dr. Sajad Shafi.
Weather experts haven’t pegged this as a massive storm, but its timing—after a dry spell and warmer-than-usual January—has folks talking. Some see it as a late gift from the skies; others, just another headache on the roads. Either way, Baramulla’s plains are stealing the spotlight today with a wintry cameo nobody saw coming.