SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Dec 27: Several areas of Kashmir and higher reaches of Jammu received fresh snowfall, including season’s first in many parts, today leading to cancellation of six flights at Srinagar Airport and closure of major roads including Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. However, rains in plains of Jammu brought cheer to the farmers, especially of rain fed areas. Meanwhile, a female tourist was killed due to a shooting stone caused by rain in Ramban area.
The snowfall led to the cancellation of six flights and the closure of several major roads across the Valley including Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, Srinagar-Leh Highway and the Mughal Road. A Meteorological Department official said that under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), the Southern districts of Kashmir received moderate snowfall intermittently throughout the day.Multiple places including several parts of South Kashmir and Central Kashmir, including Srinagar, received the season’s first snowfall. Srinagar recorded 2-3 inches of snowfall while the highest accumulation till this evening was recorded at Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, Baltal, Sonamarg and Pahalgam where nearly 10-12 inches of snow accumulated.
Qazigund received 7-8 inches of snowfall, Kulgam main town 6 inches, Khudwani Kulgam 7 inches, Shopian main town 5 inches, Anantnag main town 5 inches, Hakura Anantnag 7 inches, Achabal 7-8 inches and Tral 4 inches
Affarwat mountains overlooking Gulmarg received 16 inches of snowfall, Kangdori 13 inches, Gulmarg 10 inches, Babareshi 6 inches, Tangmarg 4 inches, Baramulla 3 inches, Gurez 4 inches, Razdan Top 7 inches and Bandipora 2 inches. The snowfall was continuing at multiple places till late night.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police issued multiple advisories in different districts, asking people to contact directly in case of any assistance. At least 350 vehicles have been stuck along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway after snowfall forced the closure of the NH-44. Following inclement weather conditions, authorities suspended the traffic on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
Inspector General of Police Traffic, Suleman Choudhary said, “Traffic on the highway has been suspended in Qazigund due to slippery road conditions. Around 350 heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) are stranded between Qazigund to Nayug Tunnel.”
The IGP said that small vehicles are being cleared and no fresh traffic is being allowed to ply from Udhampur. “Traffic will resume on Saturday morning, subject to road conditions,” he added. The IGP advised the commuters to avoid travelling on the highway until weather improves and the road is cleared.
The snowfall led to the suspension of movement on several other key routes, including Mughal Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG), Gurez, Zojila and Sinthan Pass.
An official said that Sinthan Pass along NH-244 has been closed for all vehicular movement until further notice due to heavy snowfall. He said snow clearance operations will commence soon. The official added that other roads, including Gurez, Zojila, and Mughal Road, have also been closed by the administration. Further, Karnah road has been closed due to slippery conditions.
The snowfall also led to the cancellation of flight operations in Srinagar. Director Srinagar International Airport, Javed Anjum said that six flights were cancelled following the inclement weather conditions.
With the onset of snowfall, several parts of Kashmir witnessed an increase in unscheduled power cuts today. Residents of several areas in the old city, including those on the outskirts, reported that electricity in their areas was not restored on time following the snowfall.
Several fully smart-metered areas in Anantnag district, including Malaknag, Hazratbal, Cheeni Chowk, Reshi Bazar and Khaja Bazar, were without electricity for hours following a fresh spell of snowfall. While officials stated that the majority of lines and feeders were operational, locals from various areas expressed concerns over the increase in power cuts.
Under the influence of the western disturbance, plains of jammu received light to moderate rains whereas snowfall was witnessed in the higher reaches of the Chenab valley and Pir Panjal range. Fresh snowfall was experienced in the areas of Gandoh, Kahara, Thathri, Bhaderwah Dessa and Marmar areas of Doda district. Snowfall was also received in Chilly, Jakyas, Bunjwah, Kither Patnazi and Changa surrounding Gandoh area of the district. Jawahar tunnel in Ramban district and several higher reaches of the district including Gool and Sanasar also received snowfall. Sinthan Top in Kishtwar also received fresh snowfall.
Caused by rains, a rolling stone hit the window of a bus near Cafeteria Morh in Ramban district on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, leading to death of a female tourist travelling in the bus from Srinagar to Jammu. The lady sustained critical head injuries. She was rushed to District Hospital where she was declared brought dead by the doctors. Police identified the deceased passenger as Ruby Aggarwal wife of Akash Aggarwal a resident of 41, Jawahar Chowk (Uttar Pradesh) on the left side of head due to which she succumbed to Injuries.
In view of the inclement weather condition, University of Kashmir (KU) has postponed all examinations scheduled to be held tomorrow (December 28). Fresh dates for the postponed papers will be notified separately, a University spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, intense cold wave-like conditions prevailed across Kashmir as the minimum temperatures continued to settle several degrees below the freezing point, even as there was a light increase in the night temperatures at most places of the valley.
Both the minimum and maximum temperatures have been staying below normal for this time of the season. The low temperature has led to the freezing of water supply lines and a thin layer of ice has covered the surface of several water bodies, including the Dal Lake.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.3 degrees Celsius on Thursday night, slightly down from the previous night’s minus 7 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, a town known for skiing activities in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6 degrees Celsius, the same as the previous night. Pahalgam, the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of minus 8 degrees Celsius, slightly up from the previous night’s minus 8.6 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, logged a minimum temperature of minus 6.9 degrees Celsius, while Konibal, a hamlet in the Pampore area, was the coldest recorded place in the valley at minus 9.5 degrees Celsius. Kupwara, in north Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 6.4 degrees Celsius, while south Kashmir’s Kokernag, registered minus 4.8 degrees Celsius. Kashmir is currently under the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan’ — considered the harshest period of winter — which began on December 21.
Jammu recorded a minimum of 8 degree Celsius on Thursday. However day temperature on Friday was registered at 15.2 degree Celsius, 4.8 degrees below normal. Banihal registered a minimum of -1.8 degree Celsius and maximum of 9.5 degree Celsius, and Batote logged a minimum of 2.1 degree Celsius and maximum of 9.1 degree Celsius.
Katra town in Reasi district registered a minimum of 7.4 degree Celsius and maximum of 14 degree Celsius and Bhaderwah recorded a minimum of -0.6 degree Celsius and maximum of 6.2 degree Celsius.
Director Meteorological (MeT) department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that generally cloudy with light rain over plains of jammu and light snow over Chenab Valley and Pirpanjal Range is expected till tomorrow. He said that light snow over middle and upper reaches particularly over South and Central Kashmir is expected to continue.
“From December 29 to 31st, there is a forecast of generally dry weather. On January 1and 2, generally cloudy weather with possibility of light snow is expected at isolated places while from January 3 to 5, generally cloudy with possibility of light snow at isolated to scattered places is expected,” he said.
Anantnag Police this evening rescued nine passengers stranded at Sinthan Top due to heavy snowfall. The incident occurred when a Tavera vehicle traveling from Kishtwar to Daksum skidded into a water drain, leaving its occupants stranded in challenging weather conditions.
The distress call, made by Fayaz Ahmad, a passenger in the vehicle, was promptly acted upon by Anantnag Police. A Police team, led by the SDPO Kokernag and SHO Kokernag, rushed to the spot to assist in the efforts.
“Thanks to the coordinated and swift action of the rescue team, all nine passengers, including the caller, were successfully evacuated to safety.”
Anantnag Police advises commuters to remain cautious and stay informed about weather conditions when traveling in snow-prone high-altitude areas. The safety and well-being of the public remain our utmost priority, it said.
Meanwhile, Poonch Police successfully rescued six passengers stranded at Chattapani, Mughal road due to heavy snowfall. The incident occurred when two vehicles travelling from Shopian towards Surankote got stuck into snow leaving its occupants stranded in challenging weather conditions.
A Police team, led by the SDPO Surankote and SHO Surankote along with ICPP Behramgala rushed to the spot to assist in the efforts.
