SRINAGAR, Jan 6: Heavy snowfall in the higher reaches and moderate snow and rain in the plains of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday led to disruptions in flight services at Srinagar Airport. The Meteorological (MeT) department reported that areas like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and other higher reaches experienced heavy snowfall in the last 24 hours.
The MeT office forecasted generally cloudy weather with light to moderate rain in the plains and snow in most parts of the region on January 6, with improvement expected in the afternoon. The weather will remain generally cloudy with dry conditions on January 7 and 10, while light snow is expected in isolated areas on January 11 and 12. January 13 and 15 are expected to be dry.
The department issued a weather advisory, warning of sub-freezing temperatures and icy conditions on roads in both the plains and higher reaches. Travelers and transporters have been advised to follow traffic advisories and plan their journeys accordingly.
Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of -0.5°C, Gulmarg -4.5°C, and Pahalgam -1.4°C. Jammu city’s lowest temperature was 9.3°C. The extreme winter cold, which began on December 21, will continue until January 30, with all water bodies, including lakes and streams, partially frozen.
Doctors have advised people, especially children and the elderly, to limit exposure to the cold to avoid hypothermia and respiratory infections, which can lead to heart conditions. Despite the harsh conditions, the fresh snowfall has attracted many tourists, and hotels in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Srinagar are fully booked.
Flight operations at Srinagar International Airport were delayed due to snowfall, with snow clearance efforts ongoing at the runway. Airlines rescheduled flights after 9:30 am as the Kashmir valley received a fresh spell of snow on Sunday.
