Snowfall cuts off Kashmir valley; air, surface traffic halted

A contemporary spell of snowfall on Saturday minimize off Kashmir valley from the remainder of the nation, as each air and surface traffic had been affected.

An official stated that Kashmir-bound flights had been cancelled as a result of the runway of the Srinagar airport was not possible for touchdown in addition to take-off on account of snow accumulation.

“The disruption in the air traffic is expected if the snowfall continues. Any final decision on cancellation of flights will be taken only after the real time assessment,” the official stated.

The Srinagar-Jammu nationwide freeway, which runs by way of south Kashmir’s Qazigund space, was additionally closed for traffic.

“No vehicular movement shall be allowed on Jammu-Srinagar highway from either side on January 25 in view of the shooting stones and mudslides at several places on the thoroughfare and snow accumulation around the Jawahar Tunnel,” a traffic division official stated.

Mussarat ul Islam, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, which is a serious cease on the Srinagar-Jammu freeway, directed native officers “to make necessary arrangements for stranded passengers in designated shelter sheds”.

“Officers should stay at their headquarters to deal with any emergency that may arise due to the rains and snowfall. Men and machinery have also been put on alert,” Mr. Islam stated.

Kashmir witnessed a contemporary spell of snowfall on Saturday morning, enveloping the plains in a layer of snow.

According to official figures, plains of Kupwara and Baramulla in north Kashmir obtained six to eight inches of snow; Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal in central Kashmir obtained 4 to eight inches and the plains of south Kashmir three to 6 inches. “Kulgam’s Ahrabal received the highest — 12 inches of snowfall,” the official stated.

“The weather system is likely to persist during the next 8-10 hours and gradually improve thereafter,” the meteorological division stated.