Srinagar, Dec 29: A day after snowfall disrupted aerial and surface links in Kashmir, flight operations were resumed at Srinagar International Airport, while two-way traffic was allowed on the Jammu-Srinagar highway and stranded vehicles were cleared, officials on Sunday said.
Director Srinagar International Airport, Javed Anjum told Rising Kashmir that flight operations were resumed at the airport following the improvement in prevailing weather conditions.
“Some morning flights were delayed, but after weather improvement remaining flights operated normally at the airport,” he said.
The snowfall, which began early in the morning, had temporarily halted air services, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Airlines coordinated with the airport authorities to reschedule flights, minimizing inconvenience to travelers.
After remaining closed for two days due to snow accumulation, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was opened for passenger traffic, officials said on Sunday.
A traffic official said that passenger traffic plying on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline, overtaking will cause congestion, drive with caution as the road is slippery between Banihal and Qazigund.
“However, Mughal Road/Sinthan road/Sonamarg-Kargil road/ Bhaderwah-Chamba Road are still closed due to snow accumulation”, he said.
Meanwhile the Meteorological Department (MeT) has predicted an improvement in the prevailing weather conditions in Kashmir valley from Monday.
A senior Kashmir Railways official said that train services will run as scheduled Monday (December 29, 2024), from Baramulla to Sangaldan. However, the first train from Banihal stands canceled, and weather conditions may cause delays.
“On Sunday, there was a partial suspension of services between the Baramulla and Sangaldan railway sections,” he said.
This comes a day after Kashmir experienced its first snowfall in the plains and heavy snowfall in the upper reaches. The Meteorological Department has forecasted two back-to-back western disturbances in the region from 1st January onward.
Director MeT, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that Kashmir is likely to experience mainly dry and clear weather from December 29 to December 31. However, two Western Disturbances (WDs) are likely to impact Jammu and Kashmir and adjoining areas from January 1 onwards,” he said.
“The feeble western disturbance is forecasted to bring generally cloudy skies and light snow at scattered places on the evening of January 1 through the morning of January 2,” Director MeT said.
He said the second disturbance, expected from January 3 to January 6, is projected to be moderate, with light to moderate snowfall likely at many locations in Kashmir division and scattered places in Jammu Division. Higher reaches may witness moderate to heavy snowfall during this period.
The MeT Director said that a cold wave is expected in isolated areas on December 30 and 31. Tourists, travelers, and transporters are advised to exercise caution due to subfreezing temperatures, icy road conditions, and possible disruptions in both plains and higher reaches, he said
The weather in Kashmir Valley improved following recent snowfall, with a slight rise in night temperatures, although they remained below freezing.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar recorded during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday at -0.2 °C against the -1.0 °C recorded a day ago. Qazigund -0.4°C, Pahalgam -8.0°C, Kupwara -1.0°C, Kokernag -1.8°C, Gulmarg -8.5°C, Sonamarg -10.8°C,
Bandipora -0.2°C, Baramulla -0.3°C, Budgam -0.2°C, Ganderbal -1.6°C, Pulwama 0.2°C, Anantnag 0.1°C, Khudwani 0.1°C, Kulgam -2.1°C, Shopian -2.3°C, and Larnoo -4.0°C.
Jammu recorded 6.1°C, Banihal 0.8°C, Batote -2.0°C, Katra 5.0°C, Bhaderwah -5.0°C, Kishtwar -1.4°C, Padder -7.9°C, Ramban 4.0°C, Poonch 1.5°C, Rajouri 0.4°C, Samba 3.9°C, Kathua 7.2°C, Reasi 5.2°C, and Udhampur 3.6°C.
In UT of Ladakh, Leh recorded -11.6°C, Kargil -10.2°C, and Drass -20.7°C.
