Owais Gul
Srinagar, Dec 28: Following the first major snowfall of the season life came to a standstill across Kashmir on Saturday.
Major highways and roads remained closed for a second straight day, while flights could neither take-off nor land at the Srinagar Airport.
However, the snowfall brought relief from the cold-wave conditions as all the stations recorded above normal minimum temperatures for the first time in recent weeks.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded 8 inches of snowfall in the past 24 hours.
As per the data, the areas falling in Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama districts in South Kashmir recorded a snowfall between one foot to 3 feet.
Areas in Ganderbal district recorded snowfall between 6 to 14 inches.
Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, recorded a snowfall of 1 foot and 3 inches while Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination recorded 18 inches snowfall, the data reads.
Bandipora, Kupwara and Baramulla districts in North Kashmir recorded snowfall between 2 to 9 inches.
In Jammu division’s Kishtwar, a snowfall of 4-5 inches was recorded, Budhal Rajouri recorded 10 inches.
Main Doda received 2-3 inches, Bhaderwah 4 inches, Banihal 5-8 inches and Batote 2 inches.
Weather forecast
Moreover, the weatherman predicted that the weather would remain generally dry till December 31.
Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that weather would remain generally cloudy between January 1 and 2 and there is a possibility of light snow at isolated places.
He added that there is a possibility of light to moderate snowfall at many places of Jammu and Kashmir from January 3 to 6.
The MeT in its advisory stated that a cold-wave is expected at isolated places on 30th and 31st December. “In view of snowfall, sub-freezing temp & icy conditions over roads (plains/higher reaches), the tourists, travellers and transporters are advised to follow administration and traffic advisories.
Flight operations suspended
Meanwhile, all the flights at Srinagar Airport were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions on Saturday.
Director Srinagar Airport, Javed Anjum, confirmed that due to inclement weather conditions and poor visibility, all 35 flights from Srinagar airport were cancelled.
He advised passengers to stay in touch with their respective airlines for updates on rescheduling or refunds.
On Friday, only six flights were cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions.
Roads and highways closed
All the major roads and highways continued to remain closed for vehicular movement for the 2nd straight day while the stranded vehicles were allowed to ply towards Ramban on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
“All the stranded passengers have been allowed to ply towards Ramban today,” a top official said, adding that no fresh traffic was allowed from either side along the National Highway.
He added that the traffic has also been stopped at Banihal and Ramban due to the fresh snowfall.
The roads including Mughal Road, SSG road, Bandipora-Gurez and others also remained closed for the vehicular movement as precautionary measure.
