Srinagar: Kashmir Valley was hit by its heaviest snowfall of the season, severely disrupting daily life on Saturday. The heavy snow, which began on Friday, affected transportation, power supply, and essential services, creating widespread challenges for residents and visitors alike.
The snowfall, which included the season’s first in Srinagar city, led to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to snow accumulation and clearance issues at the Navyug Tunnel. Traffic department officials have urged commuters to avoid travel until conditions improve. Additionally, train services on the Banihal-Baramulla section were suspended, with authorities working to clear the tracks.
Air travel was also affected as all flights to and from Srinagar were canceled due to poor visibility and inclement weather, with no operations taking place since Friday evening.
In response to the situation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a video conference with district officials to review snow clearance operations. He emphasized the need for timely clearance of key roads, including those leading to hospitals, and instructed district administrators to submit two-hourly progress updates. By morning, most main roads had been cleared, though interior routes took longer.
Power and water supply were affected, but efforts to restore services were underway. The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department reported that 90% of water supplies had been restored across the valley.
Meanwhile, temperatures across Kashmir rose slightly, with Srinagar recording a low of minus 1°C, a significant increase from the previous night’s minus 7.3°C.
As Kashmir experiences its harshest winter period, the ongoing “Chillai-Kalan” (40-day cold spell) continues to pose challenges for both residents and authorities, with snow clearing and essential services remaining top priorities.
