Snowfall aftermath: Aerial, surface links resume in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 05: 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 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.
While 270 kilometer- Srinagar-Jammu highway remained blocked for several hours due to shooting stones and maintenance work at Dalwas and Kishtwari Pathar.
A traffic police spokesman said that traffic has been restored on Jammu-Srinagar NHW at Dalwas. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline and not to overtake, he said.
The spokesman said stranded vehicles are being cleared from both ends along the highway.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, the traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway will remain suspended till Wednesday morning in view of road widening works along the highway.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban in a post on X said that in line with safety protocols, a 24-hour traffic halt is scheduled on Jammu-Srinagar NH-44 from Tuesday (06.02.2024)  from 8AM to 8AM on 07.02.2024 (Wednesday) for road widening at Kishtwari Pathar & Dhalwas.
He said for safety, avoid travel during this period. Urged people to plan their journeys wisely and prioritize safety.
The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority on Monday issued avalanche warnings for many districts.
Avalanche with a ‘low danger level’ is likely to occur above 2,400 meters over Bandipora, Baramulla, and Kupwara, said JKDMA.
JKDMA also said that an avalanche with a ‘medium danger level’ is likely to occur above 2,200 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, and Ganderbal districts in the next 24 hours.
People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas.
Meanwhile, many places in Jammu and Kashmir continued to receive fresh snowfall, and the temperature lowered to 9 degrees Celsius on Monday.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam was the coldest recorded place in the valley last night. It recorded a low of minus 11.9 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg settled at minus 10 degrees Celsius. Kokernag and Qazigund towns in south Kashmir recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius and minus 3.3 degrees Celsius.
As per the MeT department forecast, the weather is expected to improve in Kashmir from Tuesday. Chopper service to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district also remained suspended due to inclement weather.
According to a MeT department forecast, the weather is expected to improve in Kashmir from Tuesday onwards.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that during the past 24 hours light to moderate snowfall and rains occurred at most places of J&K.
“There will be significant improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Tuesday onwards till 13th February in the region. There will be a decrease in temperatures during morning and evening hours,” he said.