Snowfall paints Kashmir white
Srinagar, Dec 27: Srinagar and other plains of Kashmir received the season’s first snowfall on Friday, ending a prolonged dry spell and delighting both people and tourists.
Parts of Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar also witnessed snowfall, while the plain in Jammu experienced widespread rains.
The snowfall disrupted traffic on several strategic routes, including the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and Mughal Road that connects Shopian in south Kashmir to Rajouri and Poonch in the Pir Panjal region.
Other roads like the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri route to Ladakh, Sinthan-Kishtwar Road, and Kokernag-Marwah-Warwan Road, were also closed due to snow accumulation.
In Srinagar, the snowfall started late in the afternoon.
The tourists flocked to the scenic Boulevard Road along Dal Lake and other places, where they enjoyed the snowfall and captured memorable moments against the backdrop of the Zabarwan mountain range and houseboats.
Snowfall was also witnessed in south Kashmir areas including Bijbehara, Shopian, Kulgam, and parts of Pulwama and Qazigund and in north Kashmir areas including Baramulla.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) officials said that besides snowfall, rainfall was also reported from some places across Kashmir.
Faizan Arif, an independent weather forecaster, predicted significant snowfall in the higher altitudes with accumulations between 12 and 18 inches.
“Some plains in south Kashmir are also likely to witness substantial snowfall, though the system’s intensity in central and north Kashmir plains remains uncertain,” he said.
According to the weather forecaster, the current weather system would persist until Saturday afternoon, followed by dry weather until December 31.
“Light snow is expected between January 1 and 4 in isolated areas,” he said.
The snowfall followed a prolonged dry spell and an 81 percent rainfall deficit in Jammu and Kashmir between October 1 and December 25.
The snowfall also brought relief from a prolonged cold wave that continued to grip Kashmir with freezing temperatures recorded at many weather stations.
The MeT has predicted continued snowfall in the upper reaches of the Chenab Valley and scattered snow in the Kashmir plains until Saturday afternoon.
The department warned of potential landslides and slippery conditions on mountain roads, urging caution for travellers.
Air Travel Disrupted
The snowfall in Srinagar brought significant disruptions to air travel as seven flights were cancelled at the Srinagar International Airport.
The heavy snow, coupled with reduced visibility, stranded passengers and created challenges for the airport authorities.
“Seven flights were cancelled and we are clearing the runway where snow has accumulated,” Director Srinagar International Airport, Javed Anjam told Greater Kashmir. “We expect smooth operations on Saturday morning.”
He urged the passengers to check the status of their flights as snowfall was affecting operations.
The authorities at the Srinagar International Airport have successfully installed an advanced Instrument Landing System (ILS-II), a major technological upgrade aimed at ensuring seamless flight operations during low-visibility conditions like fog or adverse winter weather.
The ILS-II system will facilitate smooth landings and takeoffs even in challenging weather conditions, making winter travel more reliable.
During the last winter, despite foggy and snowy conditions, the airport saw a 99 percent improvement in flight cancellations.
“With the ILS-II in place, we are expecting zero cancellations or delays this winter,” airport officials said.
The airport is now also equipped with advanced systems such as the Doppler Very High-Frequency Omni Range (DVOR), Non-Directional Beacon (NDB), ILS, X-ray Baggage Inspection System (XBIS), Inline Baggage Screening System (ILBS), and Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) for enhanced security.
Srinagar-Jammu NH Closed
Following snowfall, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed to traffic.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who travelled from Jammu to Srinagar, described the conditions as “treacherous” and said that snow clearance efforts were underway.
He said icy roads had made it difficult for the vehicles to pass with heavy vehicles being prioritised for the movement while authorities continue to clear the blocked stretch.
“I drove from Jammu to Srinagar today. It snowed continuously from Banihal to Srinagar. The conditions were quite treacherous. I understand there are around 2000 vehicles stuck between the tunnel and Qazigund. My office has been in touch with the administration in south Kashmir. While snow clearance has been done, the road is very icy. Heavy vehicles are being allowed to move and efforts are on to clear the rest of the stranded vehicles,” Omar wrote on X while posting pictures of snowfall. “Just spoke to DC Anantnag about the current situation of the road between Qazigund and the tunnel. The icy conditions have caused traffic to back up. The stranded vehicles, in both directions, are slowly moving and where necessary being assisted. The DC is on the spot with his team. I’ve instructed him to ensure that vehicles with families and children must be given priority. If necessary, arrangements for overnight shelter will be made. The DC is accompanied by an ambulance in case of any medical emergency.”
Heavy snow began accumulating on the highway on Friday afternoon, affecting traffic flow.
Although snow clearance operations were being carried out, the icy surface made it difficult for vehicles to continue their journey safely.
Heavy vehicles were allowed to pass, but Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) remained stranded at several locations, particularly near the Jawahar Tunnel at Banihal, a critical point on the highway.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Traffic, Muhammad Suleman Choudhary said that the highway had been closed.
“We have closed the highway as it is too slippery,” he told Greater Kashmir. “Snow clearance operations are underway. Once the road is cleared, the stranded traffic will be allowed to move.”
Irfan Raina reports from Ganderbal
Ganderbal district witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall since Friday afternoon.
Higher reaches of the district including Sonamarg, Gagangir, Kullan, Gund, Wangath, and Naranag received moderate to heavy but continuous snowfall, disrupting the normal life here.
The snow accumulation on the Zojila Pass resulted in the closure of the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.
The continuous snowfall and slippery road conditions led to disruption of the traffic, particularly between Ganiwan to Gagangir near Sonamarg.
Hundreds of vehicles, mostly tourist cabs, were stranded on the Sonamarg-Kangan road.
The locals as well as tourists have urged the administration to open the Z Morh Tunnel for traffic so that commuters can travel safely and without any problems.
In view of the slippery condition of the road, the authorities have said that only 4x4 vehicles and vehicles with anti-skid chains would be allowed to ply towards Gagangir.
Amid snowfall, the J&K Police personnel were seen providing a helping hand to the locals and tourists.
In view of inclement weather, District Police Ganderbal constituted Police teams and deputed them across the district to provide a helping hand to the people of Ganderbal and tourists to avoid any untoward incident or distress, especially in far-flung areas, tourist places, and areas prone to heavy snowfall.
The teams are continuously providing a helping hand to stranded passengers, tourists, and vehicles stuck in the snow, Police said.
“In case of any emergency, people can 24x7 contact District Police Ganderbal on the phone numbers of SSP Ganderbal (9541786710), Additional SP Ganderbal (9596555551), Deputy SP Headquarters Ganderbal (9622252393), SDPO Kangan (9419902773), SHO Police Station Sonamarg (7006030281), SHO Police Station Gund (9906946095), SHO Police Station Kangan (7006070601), SHO Police Station Lar (9906631555), SHO Police Station Safapora (7006017372), SHO Police Station Ganderbal (7006411196), SHO Police Station Kheer Bawani (6005080486), Incharge Police Post Nagbal (7051697576), Incharge Police Post Gutlibagh (6005545891), Incharge Police Post Shadipora (9541216609), and Police Control Room Ganderbal (9906668731, 9419371774, and 9541786731).
Khalid Gul reports from Anantnag
The snowfall led to the closure of all major roads connecting Kashmir with the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal regions.
These routes are expected to remain shut throughout winter and will likely reopen only in March or April.
The roads include the Kokernag-Sinthan-Kishtwar road and the Kokernag-Warwan-Marwa road, which link Anantnag district in south Kashmir to Kishtwar and the Mughal Road connecting Rajouri in Pir Panjal region with Shopian district.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kokernag, Suhail Lone said that fresh snowfall at Sinthan Top and Daksum has since early morning caused the Kishtwar route to close.
Similarly, Margan Top, Lihanwan, and Gawran have received fresh snowfall, shutting the road to the Warwan and Marwa valleys of Kishtwar.
“These roads are likely to remain closed until March or April due to heavy snow accumulation at Sinthan Top and Margan Top,” the SDM said.
Another official said that several villages in Warwan have also experienced light to moderate snowfall.
The roads to these regions typically remain closed for six months during winter.
While Kishtwar is also accessible via the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway through Doda, the twin valleys of Marwa and Warwan, home to approximately 40,000 residents across 40 villages, remain isolated from Kishtwar district headquarters.
The Larnoo-Margan Top-Warwan road, a 100-km stretch opened in 2007 to connect these valleys with Kokernag serves as their sole surface link to the outside world.
In its absence, residents either trek long distances to reach Kishtwar or wait until summer to travel via the Kokernag-Sinthan route.
Meanwhile, the Mughal Road, connecting Shopian with Rajouri and Poonch, has also been closed due to heavy snowfall at Peer Ki Gali.
“It has also been snowing on the Shopian side which has made the road slippery and unsafe,” an official said.
He said that the road would likely shut permanently for winter if there is more snow accumulation around Peer Ki Gali.
Over a foot of snow has been reported at Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, and Margan Top so far.
Owais Farooqi reports from Bandipora
Following fresh snowfall in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, the Gurez-Bandipora road was shut to traffic, officials said.
Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Gurez, Mukhtar Ahamd told Greater Kashmir that the road has been closed.
Locals said Gurez witnessed light to moderate snow, both in plains and on upper reaches including centrally-located Dawar tehsil, Bagtore, and Tulail regions.
Officials said Razdan Top along the road comparatively records more snow than plains, and with fresh snowfall, the road has been closed as a precautionary measure.
“Razdan Top is always challenging. The road stretch becomes slippery even on occasions when there is light snowfall,” officials said.
Meanwhile, other areas of this north Kashmir district, including plains and higher reaches were also receiving snowfall on Friday evening.
The SDM said all essentials, including ration and medicines, have already been dumped in Gurez, which remains cut off mostly for about five to six months.
Sumit Bhargav reports from Rajouri
Pir Panjal region on Friday witnessed the first spell of rainfall this season in most areas as well as snowfall in the upper reaches that has finally ended a prolonged dry spell which was badly affecting the lives of people.
The Mughal Road connecting the region with the Shopian district also got closed for the movement of vehicles due to snowfall.
“Although it is not heavy rainfall, it is the first spell of light rainfall of this season and it has finally ended the prolonged dry spell that was impacting people with an increase in illness, dry cold, decline in the ground water table, and shrinking water bodies,” said Chander Parkash, a farmer of Rajouri. “I have never seen such a prolonged drive spell during winters in the last two decades.”
All the areas of Pir Panjal region’s twin districts - Rajouri and Poonch – witnessed light rainfall in all the plain areas besides light snowfall in some upper reaches.
