An unusual spring snowfall has sent the temperatures plummeting in the Kashmir valley. Swollen rivers are now posing a serious flood threat in low lying areas.

Authorities in Srinagar described the snowfall as 'freak.'

Gulmarg, the queen of hills, experienced snowfall on Friday morning, so did some other parts of south Kashmir where polling is scheduled for May 5.

Heavy rains and snowfall have adversely affected the campaigning in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency.

The snow will adversely impact paddy seedling and fruit crops in Kashmir. Kashmir cherry, famous in the entire continent, is in the ripening stage and could suffer damage because of the snowfall.

Cold, icy winds are blowing across capital Srinagar forcing people to remain indoors wrapped in their pherans (robes).

With the Jhelum river and its tributaries rising menacingly, the Jammu and Kashmir government has sounded a flood alert.

Curiously, according to official sources, the Kashmir valley this day in 1969 had experienced one its heaviest snowfall ever.