Heavy snowfall across Kashmir disrupted flight operations and surface traffic on Monday morning. However, as the weather improved later in the day, flights resumed and road traffic was restored, including the key Srinagar-Jammu national highway.
On the night of Sunday to Monday, several regions in Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall, particularly in the upper areas where 18 to 30 inches of snow accumulated. Gulmarg, the world-renowned ski resort, recorded 15 inches of fresh snow, while other areas such as Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara, Bandipora, Shopian, and Kulgam reported between 2 to 6 inches of snow.
The snowfall caused significant disruption, particularly affecting transportation. Flights from Srinagar airport were delayed or rescheduled, with passengers like Abid Ahmad from Shalteng, Srinagar, reporting that their flight to Mumbai was shifted from morning to afternoon due to weather conditions. However, by 10 a.m., the skies started to clear, allowing for the resumption of flight operations.
Similarly, the national highway was closed in the morning due to adverse weather conditions, but with improved visibility, traffic resumed from both sides later in the day. The Jammu and Kashmir traffic police confirmed that normal traffic would be in operation from Tuesday.
In response to the situation, Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, reported on social media that two ministers and his advisor were monitoring the snow clearance and restoration efforts across the region. He emphasized that priority roads were receiving immediate attention, with snow clearance crews working tirelessly. The electricity load in the valley was expected to increase as temperatures remained low, with the valley currently drawing 1,200 MW of electricity.
The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded the coldest temperatures in the region, with the mercury dropping to -4.5°C during the night. Other areas like Qazigund recorded -2.9°C, Srinagar -0.5°C, and Pahalgam -1.4°C.
In Ganderbal, local police provided assistance to both tourists and locals affected by the snowfall. Teams were deployed throughout the district, particularly in tourist destinations and areas prone to heavy snowfall, to ensure the safety of stranded passengers and the public.
The weather department predicted that from January 7 to 15, the region would experience mostly dry weather, with light rain expected in Jammu and scattered snow in Kashmir. The Meteorological Department stated that isolated snow and rain showers would occur in parts of Kashmir during this period.
Despite the disruptions, the swift actions of the authorities and the improvement in weather allowed life in the region to return to normalcy, with essential services and travel now resuming.
Sources By Agencies
