Bhaderwah (Jammu & Kashmir) [India], April 1 (ANI): Fresh snowfall at Guldanda in the picturesque Bhaderwah Valley of Doda district has once again attracted thousands of tourists from across India, turning the high-altitude meadow into a bustling winter destination.

Tourists were seen gleefully playing in the snow, couples strolling and enjoying the serene beauty, friends and families capturing memories with photographs, and groups dancing and celebrating amid the white expanse. The lively scenes reflect the sheer joy and excitement of experiencing rare spring snowfall in Bhaderwah, making it a perfect getaway for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts alike.

The snowfall, which blanketed the region and transformed the valley into a winter wonderland, has added to Bhaderwah's appeal as a tourism hotspot.

Meanwhile, tourists also started flocking to the bowl-shaped Sanasar Valley in large numbers on March 25 to witness its natural beauty following the onset of spring and the clearance of snow from the Patnitop-Sanasar road in Jammu and Kashmir.

Local stakeholders in Sanasar, including boatmen, hoteliers, and vendors, have begun preparations for a busy season as they anticipate a heavy influx of tourists this year.

The Tulip garden situated alongside the central lake in Sanasar has emerged as a primary highlight for visitors travelling through the Patnitop-Sanasar road this season. According to locals, children and families have started arriving at Sanasar Valley to participate in various tourist activities. Visitors are increasingly choosing Sanasar Valley for its wide range of outdoor activities, from horseback riding to interactive children's games and ziplining.

Amidst all this, vehicular movement on the 85-kilometre-long Bandipora-Gurez road was suspended on March 29 as a precautionary measure, as fresh snowfall continued to blanket the higher reaches of Bandipora district, including Gurez and Tulail.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), widespread light-to-moderate snowfall and rain was expected from March 28-31 over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, with isolated heavy snow likely on March 30 over the Kashmir Valley.

Earlier, vehicular movement in the Gurez Valley of north Kashmir was disturbed on March 23 after two consecutive snow avalanches struck the vital 85-km-long Bandipora-Gurez mountainous pass.

The two back-to-back snow avalanches striking the 85-km-long Bandipora-Gurez area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district severely disrupted traffic movement along the strategic route. Soon after the incident, snow clearance operations were performed by BRO's 56 RCC teams on a war footing to restore connectivity. (ANI)