Kashmir’s famed tourist places and higher reaches received an unseasonal snowfall during the peak spring season, bringing back winter-like conditions and leaving apple growers worry about the produce.

It has been raining in Kashmir for the past several days but the temperature dipped further on Monday following a fresh spell of snowfall in some parts, resulting in developments that accompany a typical winter season.

The inclement weather triggered an avalanche near Zojila pass on the Srinagar-Ladakh highway, blocking the road to the cold desert for traffic. Two vehicles came under the avalanche but the passengers were safely rescued.

The authorities ordered the closure of Sinthan and Margan passes in south Kashmir for all traffic till May 9 following the prediction of heavy and widespread rainfall and snowfall.

Officials said tourists and nomadic people got stuck at some places because of unusual snow, prompting rescue operations.

Places such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonalarg and Dodhpahtri received fresh snow, while it rained incessantly in Srinagar and other districts. The snow brought smiles to the faces of many tourists but left orchardists worried.

Kashmir apple growers’ association president Bashir Ahmad Bashir said inclement weather, along with unseasonal snowfall, was bad news for the apple crop.

“The flowering of apple plants in plains has already taken place but it has just started in the upper reaches (where it starts late). The fall in temperature because of snowfall will hit the produce. Additionally, hailstorms have hit several places in the past few days.

“We are already staring at the losses,” Bashir told The Telegraph.