Srinagar, Jan 03:Dense fog gripped Kashmir valley on Friday causing disruption in both vehicular and air traffic.
Since early morning, Srinagar and its surrounding districts were shrouded in a thick fog, significantly affecting daily life. Reduced visibility caused traffic to move sluggishly, prompting motorists to exercise extreme caution.
The visibility remained critically low until 12:30 PM due to the persistent fog. Several flights faced delays, and one flight was diverted as visibility plummeted to approximately 300 meters, far below the 1,100 meters required for safe flight operations.
However, conditions improved around noon, allowing airport operations to resume.
Flight operations at Srinagar International Airport resumed this afternoon after it faced delays in the morning due to dense fog.
A top official at Srinagar International Airport said that several morning flights were delayed but there was no cancellation.
“The prevailing weather conditions have significantly reduced visibility, with current visibility reported at 300 meters and Runway Visual Range (RVR) at 1100 meters,” he said.
He said that the first flight of the day landed at Srinagar Airport at 11:48 AM.
Chief Area Manager (CAM) Kashmir, Saqib Yousuf Yatoo (IRTS), said that there were initial delays in trains due to foggy weather. However, later in the day, all services between Baramulla and Sangaldan operated seamlessly without any deviations, he said.
Dense fog disrupted vehicular traffic along major highways and roads in the valley , making it hard for drivers to see and causing long delays.
Many roads were jammed as vehicles moved slowly with headlights on. Authorities advised drivers to keep safe distances and drive carefully to avoid accidents.
Director Meteorological Department (MeT), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that light snowfall was observed in the higher reaches on Friday.
“From January 4 to 6, a moderate to strong western disturbance will bring generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain in the plains and snowfall in most areas of J&K, he said.
Director MeT said that peak activity is anticipated between the night of January 4 and the morning of January 6, with conditions improving by the afternoon of January 6.
He said that from January 7 to 10, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy, accompanied by mostly dry conditions.
Dr Mukhtar said that heavy snowfall expected over most places of higher reaches including Zojila pass , Sadhna pass , Razdan pass , Sinthan top , Peer ki Gali, higher reaches of Shopian , Kulgam , Anantnag, Pulwama , Ganderbal, and Kupwara.
“The snowfall accumulations ranging between 02 feet to 05 feet in these places between 05 and 06 January,” he said.
Meanwhile, in view of adverse weather, the Traffic Police Department has issued an advisory urging commuters to drive cautiously and plan their journeys keeping the weather conditions in mind.
A traffic police spokesman said that during the past 24 hours, there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of HMVs, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather.
“These vehicles shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil between 1000 hrs. and 1500 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing. Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chains to gain more grip on the slippery road,” he said.
The Mughal road is still closed due to snow accumulation.
