Air traffic partially restored in Valley

Srinagar, November 23

Four flights landed at Srinagar International Airport as visibility temporarily improved today and partially ended a six-day long suspension of air traffic.

An official of the airport said four flights landed and later departed as visibility had temporarily improved to 1.5 km during the morning hours. “The first flight landed at 10 am and a total of four flights arrived (and departed),” said Sharad Kumar, Director of Srinagar International Airport.

The official said visibility later decreased to 800 m in the afternoon forcing cancellation of rest of the flights. “We are waiting for the rainfall to clear the visibility,” the official said.

The rainfall, according to officials of the state weather department, is likely in the region during the next few days which will clear the increased levels of smog and improve the visibility.

According to the forecast bulletin issued by the Srinagar Meteorological Centre, poor visibility will continue in the city tomorrow, heightening the chances of another day of full or partial cancellation of flights.

The air traffic to the region has remained disrupted since Thursday last week when 10 flights were cancelled due to low visibility.