Now the Kashmir Valley has been isolated from the rest of the country with a huge spell of heavy snow today. Since early Friday it has continued to snow and all air and road traffic has been suspended leaving thousands of passengers stranded and disrupting daily life across the Union Territory.
Air Traffic Suspended
Srinagar International Airport operations were halted this morning. Airport authorities confirmed that all scheduled flights had been cancelled due to poor visibility and heavy snow accumulation on the runway. "Snow is heavy, and visibility is below the required threshold for flight operations. Even though our snow clearing machinery is on call, continual snowfall makes it impossible to clear the runway for safe take-offs and landings," said an airport official. Passengers should check with their airlines before going to the airport.
NH-44 Closed: Life-Line Severed
Traffic to the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the only all-weather road linking the valley to the rest of India, has been shut down. In the Ramban and Banihal sectors there have been several landslides and shooting stones, and heavy snow has made the road slippery close to the Jawahar Tunnel and Qazigund. The Traffic Police Department has taken a strict advisory:
- No Vehicle Movement: No fresh traffic is being allowed from either Jammu or Srinagar.
- Stranded Travelers: Hundreds of trucks carrying necessary supplies and private vehicles have been left stranded at different points along the highway.
Warning: Commuters are strongly encouraged not to undertake any journey on the highway until the weather improves and the road is deemed safe.
Disruptions to Power and Communication
Heavy snow was affecting transport but also hitting the power infrastructure too. Uprooted trees and damaged transmission lines have been causing power outages in numerous parts of North and Central Kashmir. The men and machinery the administration is sending to restore critical services are being hampered by the blizzard.
Weather Forecast
The MeT has forecast that the intense snowfall will probably persist for at least 24 hours. A "Yellow Alert" is still issued for a number of districts with the highest risk of avalanches in the upper elevations of the Himalayas. Emergency hotlines for residents and tourists have been established by the administration. Though a scenic site for some due to the “Whiteout,” for most of the valley, it is still a day filled with logistical difficulties and freezing temperatures.
