Fresh snowfall disrupts normal life in Kashmir; Jammu- Srinagar highway closed, air traffic disrupted, administration alert; weather likely to improve by night: MeT
Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Jan 27 (KINS): Fresh snowfall across Kashmir on Tuesday disrupted normal life, affecting road, rail and air services and causing widespread inconvenience to residents and travellers.
Continuous snowfall made roads slippery and unsafe, forcing the closure of several routes and leading to traffic disruptions at many places. Rail services were also hit, with several trains cancelled, though officials said operations were restored after a few hours once tracks were cleared.
Flight operations at Srinagar Airport remained suspended, resulting in the cancellation of nearly 50 flights and leaving many passengers stranded.
Light to moderate snowfall was recorded in the plains, including Srinagar, while higher reaches received heavy snow. Popular tourist destinations such as Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam witnessed heavy snowfall, turning them into picturesque winter landscapes but also adding to travel difficulties.
The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway was closed due to heavy snow accumulation between Qazigund and Banihal, cutting off surface connectivity. However, train services between Srinagar and Katra continued as per schedule, officials said.
In view of the situation, authorities set up control rooms and helpline numbers to assist stranded passengers, including tourists. Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Authority issued avalanche warnings for several districts, urging people to exercise caution, especially in higher and vulnerable areas.
Officials from the Meteorological Department told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that the weather activity is expected to gradually subside from late evening, with further improvement likely during the night. However, they warned that reduced visibility and slippery roads may continue to cause disruptions in some areas.
The Meteorological Department also advised travellers and transporters to check road and highway conditions with traffic authorities before starting their journey and urged the public to strictly follow official advisories.
Farmers have been advised to suspend farming activities till January 28, as continued rain and snowfall could damage crops and affect agricultural operations. Residents, particularly those living in higher reaches, have been cautioned against venturing towards steep slopes and avalanche-prone areas.
District administrations and concerned departments remain on high alert to deal with any emergency, while people have been advised to stay indoors unless necessary and follow official instructions until weather conditions fully improve.(KINS)
