Snow in May? A Wake-Up Call for Kashmir
Srinagar 30 May 2025: May in Kashmir usually welcomes blooming meadows, gentle rains, and the onset of fruiting seasons in the higher valleys. But this year, in an eerie twist of events, Razdan Pass received fresh snowfall in the middle of May 2025, leading to the sudden suspension of all vehicular traffic on the Bandipora-Gurez road.
What once would have been considered unthinkable — snowfall in late spring — is now a climate reality. Authorities and environmentalists alike are viewing this event not just as a travel disruption but as a clear warning from nature: Kashmir is undergoing profound ecological shifts.
Razdan Pass: A Vital Yet Vulnerable Link
Razdan Pass, perched at 11,667 feet (3,556 meters) above sea level, connects Bandipora with the beautiful yet remote Gurez Valley, home to thousands of residents and close to the Line of Control (LoC). This 85-kilometer road is not just a transit path — it’s an essential economic and emergency lifeline for the people of Gurez.
The pass usually sees heavy snowfall from December to March, often remaining closed for months. But snowfall in May is rare and deeply concerning.
“This is not the usual winter snowfall. This is climate change right before our eyes,”
says Dr. Inayat Qazi, an environmental scientist based in Srinagar.
Unseasonal Snowfall: Symptoms of a Disturbed Climate
What Is Causing Snowfall in May?
Experts attribute this phenomenon to shifting weather patterns, erratic western disturbances, and rising global temperatures that are disrupting the delicate balance of the Himalayan climate.
“In a normal climatic cycle, precipitation in May should be rain — not snow — especially at passes like Razdan,” says Dr. Meher Fatima, a researcher on Himalayan ecosystems.
“This pattern is a classic sign of climate destabilization — hot spells followed by sudden cold systems.”
Immediate Impacts of the Razdan Snowfall
Bandipora-Gurez Road Closure
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Traffic suspended due to slippery roads and low visibility at Razdan Top
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BRO (Border Roads Organisation) deployed for snow clearance
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Commuters advised to stay home; essential supply chains temporarily disrupted
Emergency Services Stalled
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Medical patients in Gurez unable to travel to Bandipora hospitals
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Helicopter services on standby, but weather remains volatile
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School reopenings and other civil services delayed due to mobility issues
Economic Fallout for Gurez & Bandipora
Disrupted Trade & Tourism
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Gurez had started preparing for the spring tourism season, but unexpected snowfall has halted early tourist inflow
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Transport of goods — vegetables, medicines, construction material — delayed or suspended
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Shops remain closed, and local vendors report losses in perishable goods
“I had just stocked my shop with summer goods. Now there’s snow outside, and no customers,” says Hakeem Gul, a shopkeeper in Dawar, Gurez.
Psychological and Social Impact
Beyond the physical disruption, there’s also growing climate anxiety among the people.
“We used to enjoy snowfall, but now we’re scared. What if this never stops happening?” says Rehana Bano, a schoolteacher in Tulail.
Climate unpredictability is affecting mental health, particularly in remote areas where resources are limited and people are more dependent on natural rhythms.
Climate Change in Kashmir: A Growing Crisis
Weather Extremes on the Rise
Over the past five years, Kashmir has seen:
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Record-breaking heatwaves in summer
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Abrupt rainfall and flash floods
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Dry winters with poor snowfall followed by sudden heavy dumps in spring
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Shrinking glaciers and water reservoirs
According to a 2024 report by the Department of Environment & Remote Sensing, Kashmir’s snowline is receding faster than projected, and agricultural seasons are shifting.
Changing Seasons, Changing Lives
Farmers in Crisis
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Apple and walnut trees are flowering earlier, only to be damaged by sudden cold spells
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Paddy and maize sowing seasons are now unpredictable
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Farmers face crop losses due to erratic rainfall and frost
“One year it’s drought, the next it’s snow in May. How do we plan our crops anymore?” laments Ghulam Hassan, a farmer in Bandipora.
Glacial Retreat and Water Worries
Kashmir’s glaciers are melting, and snow reserves are behaving abnormally. Experts warn that this can lead to:
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Water scarcity in summer despite spring snow
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Increased risk of landslides and floods in downstream areas
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Soil erosion and damage to fragile high-altitude ecosystems
What Are the Authorities Doing?
Short-Term Measures
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BRO is working to clear snow from Razdan Top
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Weather advisories issued for Bandipora and Gurez
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Medical helplines and emergency transport plans in place
Long-Term Plans (But Not Enough?)
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Discussions around tunnel construction under Razdan Pass to ensure year-round connectivity
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Push for climate-resilient infrastructure
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Calls for greater investment in weather monitoring stations and disaster preparedness
But environmentalists say policy changes are too slow, and local communities remain underprepared.
Voices from the Valley: What the People Say
Mushtaq Lone, trader:
“Business is down, and roads are closed. Even if the snow melts tomorrow, we’ve already lost so much.”
Zahida Jan, mother of two:
“This is springtime. I should be planting flowers with my children, not clearing snow from my doorway.”
Yaseer Ahmad, Gurez resident:
“Every year brings something new — fires, floods, or snow at the wrong time. Is this the new normal?”
What Can Be Done? Solutions for a Climate-Resilient Kashmir
Community Preparedness
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Disaster drills and awareness programs in schools and villages
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Early warning systems using mobile alerts and local volunteers
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Winter shelters, emergency supply kits, and community storage systems
Policy and Governance
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Push for an independent climate body in J&K to monitor and plan for environmental threats
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Enforce green building codes, sustainable farming policies, and climate-smart tourism
Individual Action
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Reduce waste, especially plastic pollution in mountain regions
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Support local ecological restoration and afforestation drives
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Pressure elected leaders to prioritize climate adaptation over short-term development
Bottom-Line: Snow in Spring is Not Beauty, It’s a Warning
The unseasonal May snowfall at Razdan Pass is more than a freak weather event — it’s a glaring symptom of climate change. For the people of Kashmir, this is a wake-up call. The mountains are whispering — and now they are shouting.
Unless governments, communities, and individuals act swiftly, we may soon find Kashmir’s climate tipping into irreversible chaos.
