Srinagar, Mar 28: Following the strong gusty winds in Kashmir, 19 flights were cancelled at Srinagar International Airport on Friday, with two others being diverted, officials confirmed.
Javed Anjum, Director of Srinagar International Airport, told Rising Kashmir that the adverse weather conditions were responsible for the cancellation of the 19 flights.
“Now that the weather has improved (winds have subsided), 15 arrivals and 14 departures have been completed out of the 38 scheduled flights,” he said.
The sudden flight cancellations have left hundreds of NEET SS aspirants stranded at Srinagar Airport. These students were scheduled to appear for their exams in Jammu and Delhi on Saturday morning.
In light of the situation, several students and stakeholders voiced their frustration and renewed their appeal to the National Board of Examinations (NBE), the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, and other relevant authorities to set up an examination center in Srinagar.
Aatif Sanaie, a local resident, expressed concern over the situation. “Due to the bad weather, hundreds of NEET SS aspirants are stranded at Srinagar Airport,” he said. “We had previously requested the authorities to establish an exam center in Srinagar, as the majority of students are from the Kashmir division, and the exams coincide with the auspicious days of Lailat-ul-Qadr, Jummat-ul-Vida, and Eid.”
Meanwhile, tourists who had visited the famous Tulip Garden on March 26 also faced difficulties due to the flight cancellations.
Priya Sharma, a tourist from Delhi, shared her experience: “We had a wonderful time at the Tulip Garden, but the sudden cancellation of our flight has left us stranded. We’re now heading back to the hotel and will stay until Sunday.”
On Friday night, heavy gusty winds swept across various parts of the Kashmir Valley, causing significant damage to vehicles, rooftops, and power infrastructure. Several areas reported property damage, prompting authorities to assess the impact and begin restoration efforts.
