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Srinagar, Dec 28: Kashmir witnessed a significant disruption in daily life on Saturday, December 28, as heavy snowfall blanketed the valley, halting air and rail traffic and closing the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, officials reported.
The valley began receiving moderate to heavy snowfall on Friday, marking the season’s first snowfall in Srinagar and other plains. South Kashmir experienced the heaviest snowfall, with some plains recording up to 25 inches, while central Kashmir saw moderate accumulation.
Srinagar city recorded eight inches of snow, while Sonamarg, a renowned tourist destination, received an equivalent amount. Ganderbal district followed closely with seven inches. South Kashmir’s Anantnag district witnessed the most dramatic snowfall, with plains recording 17 inches and higher reaches exceeding two feet.
Tourist hotspots like Pahalgam and Gulmarg drew attention with fresh snowfalls of 18 and 15 inches, respectively. In north Kashmir, Baramulla and Bandipora districts recorded varying accumulations, while the Zojila Pass along the Srinagar-Leh highway was buried under 15 inches of snow.
The heavy snowfall led to the suspension of train services on the Banihal-Baramulla route and disrupted air travel at Srinagar Airport, where approximately 80% of flights were canceled. Ground clearance operations are ongoing, with officials emphasizing that flights will resume once weather conditions improve.
Road travel was also severely impacted. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained closed due to heavy snow at the Navyug Tunnel, and motorists faced slippery conditions across the valley. Commuters were advised to avoid travel until clearance efforts are complete.
Power outages added to the chaos, with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah closely monitoring the situation. “Restoration work is underway, and more than 90% of feeders are expected to be operational by this evening,” Abdullah assured in a post on X.
Educational institutions were not spared from the disruption, as Kashmir University postponed all exams scheduled for Saturday. New dates will be announced later, university officials stated.
Despite the challenges, the snowfall brought some relief to the valley’s biting cold. Srinagar’s minimum temperature rose to -1°C, a significant improvement from the previous night’s low of -7.3°C. Other areas, including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Qazigund, also recorded slightly higher minimum temperatures.
The valley is currently in the grip of ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the harshest phase of winter, which began on December 21 and lasts until January 30. Known for its extreme cold and high likelihood of snowfall, Chillai-Kalan underscores the valley’s enduring resilience in the face of harsh winters.
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