Ending a prolonged and worrying dry spell, Kashmir received its first major snowfall of the season on Friday, bringing cheer to tourists but causing widespread disruption to essential services.
While the upper reaches, including the ski resort of Gulmarg, recorded over two feet of snow, the heavy accumulation led to the suspension of air traffic, closure of key highways, and significant power outages across the Valley.
All flights cancelled from Srinagar airport
Air travel at the Srinagar international airport came to a standstill on Friday morning and later all flights were cancelled.
The airport authorities cautioned on social networking site X that normalisation may take longer than expected, advising passengers to coordinate with airlines. “In view of continuous snowfall, accumulation of snow on operational areas, and the prevailing forecast of adverse weather en route, all flight operations at Srinagar Airport stand cancelled for the day in the interest of passenger safety. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for updates and re-accommodation. We regret the inconvenience caused,” Srinagar airport wrote on X.
Srinagar-Jammu NH shut
Surface transport was equally hit; the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) was shut due to heavy snow near the Navyug Tunnel, while the Mughal Road, SSG Road, and Sinthan Road were also closed. The J&K Traffic Police has urged the public to avoid travel until the routes are declared safe and to verify road status via official helplines (TCU Srinagar: 0194-2450022; TCU Jammu: 0191-2459048).
Even by evening traffic wasn’t restored as the officials said condition of road was not feasible for smooth movement of traffic.
{{/usCountry}}Even by evening traffic wasn’t restored as the officials said condition of road was not feasible for smooth movement of traffic.
{{/usCountry}}Power outages in Valley
High-velocity winds damaged dozens of buildings and plunged nearly half of the Valley into darkness since Thursday evening. Electricity restoration is currently underway, though many areas remain without power.By evening 60 to 70% of power was restored, however the places which received heavy snowfall still witnessed power disruption.
Additionally, railway services between Baramulla and Banihal remain suspended even as dozens of snow-clearing machines work to restore connectivity.
This snowfall is a critical relief for the region, which has faced an 85% precipitation deficit throughout November, December, and January. While Srinagar city saw only a few inches of accumulation mixed with rain, the higher reaches of south, central, and north Kashmir reported over two feet of snow, even the upper reaches of Gulmarg recorded more than three feet of snow.
Independent forecaster Faizan Arif said that a strong western disturbance at 95% intensity drove this intense window of precipitation and warned while the system will weaken within 24 hours, it is likely to usher in a period of prolonged cold across the Union territory.
MeT office said that gusty winds were recorded in Srinagar had speed of 155 kilometres in Shopian, 80 in Poonch , Reasi (76), Jammu (63) and Srinagar (84).
There was a significant snowfall depth (cm): Gulmarg 45, Shopian 55, Sonamarg 15, Pahlgam 17, Kupwara 20, Banihal 16 and Kulgam 15 cms. MeT has predicted light rain/snow at isolated places for next two days.
Director MeT Ladakh Sonum Lotus said that interaction of cold and warm winds led to this spike in snowfall. “What led to widespread strong wind & heavy rain/ snow in J&K, Interaction of cold & warm fronts leading to sharp spike in temperature and sharp fall in pressure. Decrease in rain snow from late evening/ night in Ladakh and J&K,” he wrote on X.
Administration and police had established helplines across Kashmir and at many places police teams were busy in helping people.