Srinagar: Kashmir finally heaved a sigh of relief on Saturday as Srinagar and other areas in the plains received the season's first snowfall, draping the valley in white and bringing cheer to locals and tourists alike.
The fresh snowfall broke the prolonged spell of bone-chilling dry and cold weather that had made life difficult in Kashmir for the past few weeks.
Snowfall, however, majorly disrupted air and road connectivity in the region, throwing normal life out of gear. As per the latest inputs received by ETV Bharat, all flights at Srinagar International Airport were cancelled for the day. The airport typically handles 70 flights a day. Airport Director Javed Anjum confirmed the same shortly after both arrivals and departures were put on hold.
Similarly, train services on the Banihal-Baramulla section were suspended due to heavy snow accumulation on the track, railway officials said.
"Due to heavy snow accumulation on the track and continuous snowfall, train services on the Banihal-Baramulla section will remain suspended up to 1 pm on Saturday," they said.
District-wise snow update
As per the local MeT department, Srinagar recorded about eight inches of snow, while neighbouring Ganderbal recorded about seven inches. Sonamarg, a famous tourist destination, recorded around eight inches of snow.
The Zojila axis along the Srinagar-Leh highway received about 15 inches of snow. Areas in Budgam district received 7-10 inches of snow, while the plains in Anantnag district recorded around 17 inches. The upper areas of the south Kashmir district received over two feet of snow. The tourist town of Pahalgam recorded 18 inches of fresh snowfall.
Areas in Pulwama district recorded 10-15 inches of snow, while neighbouring Kulgam received 18-25 inches and Shopian recorded around 18 inches of snowfall. In Bandipora district of north Kashmir, the plains recorded four inches of snow, while the higher reaches, including Gurez, received 6 to 10 inches of snowfall.
Areas in Baramulla district recorded 4-9 inches of snow, while the famous ski resort of Gulmarg received about 15 inches of snow. Kupwara plains received 1-2 inches of snow, and its upper reaches recorded 2-3 inches.
Srinagar-Jammu National Highway Status
Snowfall has paralysed key routes, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which remains blocked near the NAVYUG Tunnel. The Mughal Road, Sinthan Road, Sonamarg-Kargil Road, and Bhaderwah-Chamba Road are also impassable.
Authorities have urged commuters to delay travel until conditions improve. For updates, travellers can contact traffic control units in Jammu, Srinagar, Ramban, Udhampur, Kishtwar, and Kargil.
While authorities launched snow clearance operations at the respective district headquarters, most of the main roads and roads to hospitals were cleared of snow, but many interior roads were still blocked, officials said. Due to slippery conditions, motorists were facing difficulties in driving, they added.
The Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) started a massive snow clearance operation, deploying more than 40 equipment throughout several wards.
"Our snow clearance machines worked overnight to clear priority roads, especially those leading to hospitals and major connecting links,” SMC Commissioner Dr Owais Ahmad said, adding he was personally overseeing the work to make sure that important routes were accessible.
"More than 2,000 lanes within residential colonies are being cleared using manpower and machinery. Snow clearance is being executed in phases, with phase one already completed and subsequent phases progressing steadily. Ground staff, equipped with necessary tools, have been on duty since 5 am, ensuring the smooth movement of vehicles and pedestrians," he said.
Power Supply Impacted Across Kashmir
The snowfall also affected the power supply in several areas of the valley. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was monitoring the situation.
"In Kashmir region, 41 feeders at the 33 KV level and 739 feeders at the 11 KV level are down. None at the 132 KV or 220 KV levels. Restoration work is underway, and more than 90 per cent of feeders are expected to be up and functional by evening today. I’m in regular touch with the PDD team to monitor the situation,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
In Kashmir region , 41 feeders at 33 KV level and 739 feeders at 11kv level are down.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 28, 2024
None at 132kv or 220 level.
Restoration work is underway and more than 90% feeders are expected to be up and functional be evening today.
I’m in regular touch with the PDD team to monitor…
J&K Electricity Department said its teams were working round the clock to restore electricity to affected areas.
Kashmir University Postpones Exams
The University of Kashmir postponed all its examinations scheduled for Saturday due to the inclement weather. Fresh dates for the postponed exams will be notified separately, the University said.
Minimum Temperature Improves
With snowfall breaking the coldwave, minimum temperatures improved by several degrees across the valley, the MeT Department said. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1 degree Celsius on Friday night, more than six degrees up from the previous night's low of minus 7.3 degrees Celsius, it said.
Gulmarg, known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 5 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam, the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, logged a minimum temperature of minus 0.6 degrees Celsius, while Konibal, a hamlet in the Pampore area, recorded minus 1.5 degrees Celsius. Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius, while south Kashmir's Kokernag registered minus 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai-Kalan' -- considered the harshest period of winter -- which began on December 21.
MeT Srinagar's Weather Forecast Till January 6
- Dec 28: Generally cloudy with intermittent light snow over South Kashmir and Chenab Valley, light rain at few plains of Jammu region till Saturday late afternoon/evening.
- Dec 29-31: Generally dry.
- Jan 1-2:Generally cloudy with light snow at isolated places.
- Jan 3-6: Generally cloudy with light to moderate snow at many places in Kashmir Division and scattered places in Jammu Division.
MeT Advisory
- Cold wave at isolated places during December 30 and 31.
- Freezing temp and icy conditions over roads. Tourists and travellers are advised to follow administration/traffic advisory.
- Fresh spell of snow from Jan 3-6 with chances of moderate to heavy at a few higher reaches.
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