Flights cancelled; highway closed due to incessant snowfall in Kashmir

MeT forecasts improved weather conditions from afternoon onwards.

Srinagar, J&K —

Snowfall continued in Kashmir Valley for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, causing disruptions in-flight operations while Jammu-Srinagar highway remained closed due to resultant landslides at several places.

Normal life remained standstill in Kashmir Valley even as there are reports of snowfall in Kashmir causing damage to a few more structures in the Valley. Most lanes are still impassable for driving across the Valley while main roads are being cleared.

A MeT official informed that Srinagar received 34.7 cm of snowfall in Kashmir in the last 24 hours till 0830 hours while Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded 33.7 cm during the time.  

Pahalgam, the famous tourist destination, and Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded 29 and 17 cm of fresh snowfall.

Heavy Snowfall In Kashmir Caused Disruptions

Regarding Gulmarg, the official said that the world-famous skiing resort accumulated 28 cm of fresh snowfall while Kupwara recorded 22 cm of snowfall.

Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal and Budgam districts received almost the same snow depth as Srinagar even as higher reaches accumulated more snow.

The heavy snowfall in Kashmir also caused power disruptions and as per official figures, at least 223 feeders are still to be restored apart from several 33KV and 11KV lines. A few community transformers have also been damaged.

The snowfall has also led to severe disruptions in milk and vegetable supplies to parts of Srinagar and elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.9°C while mercury settled at minus 1.2°C in Pahalgam, minus 3.5°C in Gulmarg, minus 0.2°C in Qazigund, minus 0.7°C in Kupwara while Kokernag recorded a low of minus 1.0°C.

Officials said that at least eight flights have already been cancelled. Due to snowfall in Kashmir, all flights were cancelled on January 3, 4 and 5.

About four feet snowfall in Kashmir was recorded around Jawahar Tunnel area. However, work is underway to clear the highway, which is the only surface link connecting the valley of Kashmir with the outside world.

Around 4500 vehicles, mainly carrying supplies to Valley as well as passenger vehicles, are stranded en route.

It is noteworthy to mention here that Kashmir is in the midst of Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day harsh Winter period, which commenced on December 21 and ends on January 31.

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The cold wave, however, continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).

The weatherman has forecast a “significant” improvement in weather conditions from this afternoon.

As per Director Meteorological Department, Sonam Lotus, “For now, there is no forecast of any major snowfall in Kashmir. Weather is likely to remain mainly dry from tomorrow.”