Snowfall disrupts land, air traffic across Kashmir
SRINAGAR (KIMS) — Fresh snowfall that occurred across the Kashmir Valley since last night disrupted land and air traffic on Tuesday.
According to traffic officials, vehicular movement has been suspended from both sides on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway due to snowfall in and around the Navyug Tunnel.
The Mughal Road, SSG Road, and Sinthan–Kishtwar Road are already closed for vehicular movement due to heavy snow accumulation.
Officials have advised commuters to check the latest road status through the official social media handles of the J&K Traffic Police or contact the Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Jammu, Srinagar, and Ramban before undertaking their journey.
Earlier on Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police issued an advisory directing drivers, commuters, and tourists to confirm road status and travel timings from TPCR Kashmir before starting their journey.
“In view of the prevailing weather advisory and predictions of heavy rain and snowfall across the Valley, movement along hilly roads shall be allowed only in accordance with the prescribed cut-off timings and traffic advisories,” the advisory said.
It added that due to snow accumulation on NH-44 and other hilly roads, travel to areas including Jammu, Qazigund, Gulmarg, Ladakh, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Gurez, Karnah, Machil, Sinthan, and Kishtwar would remain subject to road and weather conditions.
“Motorists must ensure that anti-skid equipment is fitted in their vehicles, as no vehicle without proper anti-skid mechanisms will be allowed on hilly roads such as Tangmarg–Gulmarg, Kangan–Sonamarg, Sinthan–Kishtwar, Pahalgam Road, Mughal Road, Kupwara border roads, and the Gurez–Bandipora Road, if these roads remain open,” it said.
Rail services on the Baramulla–Banihal section have also been suspended due to snowfall.
Air traffic remained affected as Srinagar International Airport cancelled all flights for the day due to adverse weather conditions.
“Due to continuous snowfall in Srinagar, the runway is currently not available for safe aircraft operations. In the interest of passenger safety, all flight operations to and from Srinagar have been cancelled for the day,” airport authorities said.
They added that airline and airport authorities are closely monitoring the weather situation and flight operations will resume once conditions improve and the runway is declared operational.
They have also advised passengers to check the latest flight status with their respective airlines and stay updated through official communication channels. — (KIMS)
