Srinagar, Jan 13: Plains and higher reaches of Kashmir Friday experienced moderate to heavy snowfall, leaving thousands of vehicles stranded along the 280-kilometre Jammu-Srinagar highway. While only 4 flights operated at Srinagar International Airport and the rest were cancelled, officials said.
The Meteorological Department has predicted improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Saturday onward.
Director MeT, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that following the fresh western disturbances, moderate snowfall was reported from most places of Kashmir including Pir-Panjal range.
“Snowfall will stop gradually in plains whereas higher reaches will experience heavy snowfall till late Friday night. There is no heavy snow expected in the plains,” he said.
Lotus said they were expecting significant improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Saturday onward. After that weather is expected to remain mainly dry for the next four to five days”,” he said.
As per MeT official Srinagar city received 6-7 inches of snowfall, ski-resort Gulmarg in Baramulla recorded fresh spell of 2 feet of snowfall, Tangmarg 1 feet, Pahalgam 1 feet, Sonamarg 2 feet, Qazigund, 15 inches, Shopian 10 inches.
Pulwama 7 inches, Tral 4-5 inches, Kulgam 8 inches, Kokernag, 1 feet, Banihal 8-10 inches, Jawahar Tunnel 10 inches,, Kupwara 11 inches, Baramulla 2-3 inches, Ganderbal 5-6 inches, Bandipora 10-11 inches, Budgam 10 inches, Anantnag 14 inches.
Peer ki Galli also witnessed heavy snowfall and recorded more than 10-12 inches till Friday evening. Sinton Top, Minimarg, Sadhna Top, Zojila Pass, and Drass also received heavy snowfall.
Director Srinagar International Airport, Kuldeep Singh said only four flights could operate on Friday early morning. Remaining 66 flights (33 arrivals and 33 departures) were cancelled due to continuous snowfall and poor visibility at the airport.
“The passengers of the cancelled flights shall be accommodated by the respective Airlines in the next available flight at no extra cost The passengers may also opt for a full refund at their convenience,” he said.
While, the traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar highway was suspended following the shooting stones, landslides and slippery road conditions due to snowfall and rains along the 284-kilometre road.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban Masrat Zua said traffic has been suspended from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. While snow clearance operation continues on the highway.
“Snow clearance at Banihal-Qazigund (Navyuga) Tunnel and Expressway to ensure vehicles don’t get stranded at Banihal. Adequate measures are taken to accommodate stranded passengers if heavy snowfall persists,” he said.
SSP Ramban, Mohita Sharma said road clearance along Srinagar-Jammu highway has been completed. Slippery conditions prevail with intermittent shooting stones and mudslides. People advised to travel with caution, she said.
Another official said the highway will be reopened for vehicular traffic and stranded vehicles will be cleared on priority and no fresh traffic will be allowed from the both sides.
As per the advisory issued by Jammu and Kashmir Traffic department, people are advised to undertake journeys on National Highway 44 only after confirming status of the road from the traffic control units in Jammu, Ramban and Srinagar.
While Srinagar-Leh highway and historic Mughal road will be closed for vehicular traffic in view of heavy snowfall accumulation along the roads.
The vehicular traffic remained suspended on Sadhna pass, for the fourth day due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions.
SDM Karna told Rising Kashmir that the snow clearance operation has already been started to put through these passes for traffic again. Traffic will be resumed on Sadhna Chowkibal road once a green signal is received from the officials posted at different places, he said.
Meanwhile, the State Disaster Management Authority on Friday issued an avalanche warning in several districts of Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of heavy snowfall since morning.
It said an avalanche with high danger level is likely to occur above 2000 metres in Bandipora and Kupwara districts in the next 24 hours.
“Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2000 metres over Baramulla and Ganderbal districts and avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 2000 metres over Anantnag, Doda, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Poonch and Ramban districts in the next 24 hours,” reads the advisory.
The department advised people living in these areas to take precautions and avoid venturing in avalanche prone areas.
