Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Dec 20: Dense fog covered large parts of Kashmir on Saturday, severely reducing visibility and disrupting road and air travel as cold conditions persisted.
According to the details available, in Srinagar, visibility dropped to just a few metres in several areas, prompting traffic authorities to urge motorists to exercise caution on major routes, including Airport Road and other key roads across north and south Kashmir. Commuters faced slower movement, particularly during peak morning hours.
Operations at Srinagar International Airport were affected, with several flights cancelled due to adverse weather conditions in parts of North India. Passengers were advised to check flight status with their airlines before travelling.
Jammu Airport also reported cancellations, including flights 6E5207 (Delhi–Jammu), 6E6510 (Jammu–Delhi), 6E2293 (Delhi–Jammu) and 6E2527 (Jammu–Delhi).
Meanwhile, the road travel between districts was similarly impacted.
Traffic on stretches of the Srinagar-Jammu Highway slowed, while rural areas in Budgam, Pulwama, Anantnag and Ganderbal recorded sharp overnight temperature drops, contributing to dense fog.
Locals said the reduced visibility delayed daily activities, with farmers postponing fieldwork and shopkeepers opening later than usual.
The Meteorological Department has forecast rain and snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days.
Light to moderate snowfall is expected in higher reaches, while plains may receive light to moderate rain from the evening of December 20 to December 21.
December 22 may see light rain or snowfall at scattered to many places, followed by partly cloudy weather from December 23 to 30. A few higher reaches could receive light snowfall on December 31.
Authorities warned that higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts may experience moderate to heavy snowfall on December 21.
Travellers and transporters were advised to plan journeys accordingly and follow traffic and administrative advisories to avoid inconvenience and accidents.
