6 flights canceled, highways blocked: MeT predicts more snow, Police issues advisory
Srinagar, Dec 27: At least 350 vehicles have been stuck along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway after the fresh snowfall forced the closure of the only road, connecting the Valley with the rest of the country.
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 (HMV) 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 officials of the Border Roads Organization (BRO) stated that traffic through the Jawahar Tunnel has also been suspended due to heavy snowfall. “We have suspended traffic as a precautionary measure through Jawahar Tunnel due to snowfall on both sides of the tunnel,” a top BRO official said.
Earlier, the snowfall finally put an end to the prolonged dry spell in Kashmir on Friday with the weatherman predicting more precipitation across J&K till Saturday. The snowfall led to the cancellation of six flights and the closure of several major roads across the Valley.
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 season’s first snowfall.
The parts of Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar also received snowfall while the rains lashed the plains across Jammu.
As per the details, two inches of snowfall was recorded in Srinagar while the highest accumulation till this evening was recorded at Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, Baltal Pahalgam where nearly 10-12 inches of snow accumulated.
At Chiranbal Kulgam, 8 inches of snow accumulated while Qazigund recorded 5 inches, Main town Kulgam 4 inches, Main town Shopian 3 inches, Mir Bazar Kulgam 4 inches, Anantnag 3 inches, Hakura Anantnag 5 inches and Dialgam Anantnag 5 inches.
The snowfall was continuing at multiple places when this report was filed.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police issued multiple advisories in different districts, asking people to contact directly in case of any assistance.
The snowfall disrupted traffic, leading to the suspension of movement on several key routes, including Srinagar-Jammu Highway, Mughal Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG), Gurez, Zojila, and Sinthan Pass.
The authorities closed the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, Mughal Road and SSG Road as a precautionary measure.
An official said that Sinthan Pass along NH-244 has been closed for all vehicular movement until further notice due to heavy snowfall. Snow clearance operations will commence soon, he said.
The official added that other roads, including Gurez, Zojila, and Mughal Road, have also been closed by the administration.
Meanwhile, another official stated that the Karnah road is expected to be closed by evening.
Furthermore, the snowfall also led to the cancellation of flight operations in Srinagar. Director Srinagar International Airport, Javed Anjum said that six flights were canceled following the inclement weather conditions.
Moreover, the ongoing weather conditions are expected to prevail till Saturday.
Director Meteorological (MeT) Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that generally cloudy with light rain over plains of Jammu & light snow over Chenab Valley & Pirpanjal Range is expected till tomorrow.
He said that light snow over middle & upper reaches particularly over South & Central Kashmir is expected to continue.
From December 29 to 31st, there is a forecast of generally dry weather, he said, adding that on January 1& 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.
