Srinagar, Feb 21: In the aftermath of snowfall disrupting aerial and surface links in Kashmir, officials have reported the resumption of flight operations at Srinagar International Airport and partial opening of the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Javed Anjum, Director of Srinagar International Airport, confirmed that flight operations resumed following an improvement in weather conditions, albeit with some morning flights experiencing delays. He noted that on Tuesday, 23 flights were cancelled due to poor visibility.
However, despite a brief two-hour resumption, the 270-kilometer Srinagar-Jammu highway was closed again for traffic due to landslides and mudslides at Kishtwari Pather on the Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44). The traffic police department advised against travel along highways until further notice, with more than 6000 vehicles stranded along both sides of the highway.
Efforts to clear the stranded vehicles and restore traffic are underway, though officials anticipate that it will take more than 24 hours to fully reopen the highway. Kashmir-bound trucks have been stopped at Qazigund junction, while vehicles from Jammu have been halted at Ramban, Udhampur, and other areas to prevent congestion.
Kashmir-bound trucks have been stopped at Qazigund junction, while stranded vehicles from Jammu have been stopped at Ramban, Udhampur, and other areas to avoid further congestion on the highway.
Meanwhile, the traffic police spokesman said that Jammu-Srinagar NHW was partially restored for one way. Only stranded vehicles between Nashri & Banihal were being cleared.”
The highway was blocked due to Landslides/Mudslides/ shooting stones at Dalwas, Peerha, near Peerha Tunnel, Mehad-Cafeteria, Jaiswal bridge, Trishul Morh, Seri, T2, Monkey Morh, Mom Passi, Gangroo and other places.
Srinagar-Leh Highway and Mughal Road are still closed due to accumulation of snow along the highway. However the men and machinery are on the job to restore these vital highways as soon as possible.
Meanwhile after snowfall and rains, minimum temperatures recorded a drop at most places in Jammu and Kashmir with Gulmarg recording a low of minus 9.4°C on Wednesday.
Srinagar received 5.5cms of snow in 24 hours. Qazigund 34 cms of snow, Pahalgam 50cms, Kupwara 5cms, Kokernag 59cms and Gulmarg 40cms of snowfall during the time. Gulmarg 130 cms (4.26-ft) of snowfall in the last 72 hours, recorded a low of minus 9.4°C against minus 4.0°C on the previous night.
The temperature was below normal by 2.7°C for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir which is set to host the 4th edition of Khelo India games from today.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.0°C against minus 0.7°C on the previous night. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 0.0°C, Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 1.6°C against minus 0.5°C on the previous night, Kokernag, settled at minus 3.4°C against 0.3°C on the previous night. Kupwara recorded a low of minus 0.4°C.
Winter capital Jammu, received 5.6mm of rain during the last 24 hours and recorded a minimum of 9.2°C, Banihal received 71.8mm of rain in 24 hours and recorded a low of minus 0.2°C, Batote received 43.8mm and had a low of minus 0.6°C while Bhaderwah received 27.4mm of rain and recorded a minimum of 0.0°C, he said.
The weatherman has forecast improvement in weather in Jammu and Kashmir from today. “No significant weather activity is expected till February 27,” he added.
The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) on Wednesday issued a fresh avalanche warning for ten districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
A JKDMA Spokesperson in an advisory said that an avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 2000 meters over Anantnag and Kulgam districts in next 24 hours.
He said that an avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2400 meters over Bandipora and Baramulla districts in the next 24 hours.
“Avalanche with high dander level is likely to occur above 2000 meters over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in next 24 hours”, he said.
The advisory advised people of respective areas to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas. It held that in case of any help people can dial 112.
